Training over...for now!

As most of you know, we went to get Cody this past week. It was a bittersweet event that I know was hard for him. There was a lot of mixed feelings towards leaving San Antonio and coming back to Mississippi. But, let's get to the trip out first.
We left on Monday and drove to Sealy TX, which is about 2 - 3 hours away from San Antonio. We came to a Best Western right off I10 and decided to stay there. As soon as we checked into the hotel and drove around to a room, we thought,'hmm, there sure is a lot of bird dookie in this parking lot". Tommy said to park across the lot where there were fewer trees. No such luck. All the parking spaces that were tree free were taken. Guess they knew the secret that wasn't told at check in. There was a sign posted that the train could be heard from the rooms at night. But, being that we hear trains every night from our bedroom, this wasn't an issue. They just didn't reveal the 'little issue' of a bird invasion at dusk and again at dawn. We walked next door to eat and got back just before the sun started going down. All of a sudden, there was this chirping noise that got louder and louder. I asked Tommy, "what in the world?". He said that it sounded like birds outside the door. I pulled the curtains back and 'OMG!!' There were hundreds of big black birds EVERYWHERE! The trees were covered with them. It was an erie feeling. Felt like a scene out of the Birds movie where the birds were invading and attacking the humans. Once it was completely dark outside, the noise died down. Of course Tommy had to say that they pooped all night long...Oh great! Well, come first light, the noise started back up. No alarm clock needed here. We finally left after the noise stopped and cars were literally covered in white poop!!! First things first, we found a car wash, and were not the only ones in line. But, that car wash didn't get all the poop off. I had to get paper towels and 'wipe' the poop off of the spots that didn't come off. Gross!
We got to San Antonio before noon on Tuesday and I decided to valet park. Tommy, being the country boy that never gets out, really didn't like this idea! He went on and on about not liking leaving the car and the keys with a total stranger. He would not leave it alone. We went outside to take a walk around the neighborhood and there was my car still parked out front. He continued to fuss that we were paying for it to sit out front of the hotel for anyone to use! We were told that the nearest parking garage was a block away and Tommy decided that we may just move the car the next day and walk back and forth to get it when we wanted. We found out that Cody wasn't going to get to leave base that night so, we walked downtown to the mall. We went to the IMAX and watched the Alamo. When we got out, it was dark. We found that some streets were not really the ideal street to be out on after dark. As soon as we exited the back side of the mall, we were approached by a white female. She told us that she and her daughter were staying at the Salvation Army and needed $10 to pay for the night. She was trying to get out of there and just needed a little time. She was trying to get into school so they could get off the streets. She painted a sad picture and I was getting a little tender hearted until Tommy said "Where did you get that cigarette?". I knew what he was up to...she told him that she bummed it from a guy across the street and that's how she usually got them. She said that when she does have to buy them, they cost her $1.45. He said, 'Bull', you had me till you started blowing the smoke into my eyes. No, she got nothing. We left and got around a corner and was hit up again by a guy. Got to the Riverwalk and was hit up again. Tommy thought he had a sign tattooed across his forehead. The next morning, as soon as we walked out of the hotel, we were approached again!! This is when we decided to continue the valet parking. Who knows what we would be walking into trying to get in and out of the parking garage.
We ate at some great places and walked and walked and walked. We found our way onto the base Wednesday morning but didn't get to actually touch Cody. We found his barracks and saw his group getting smoked for something. I texted him asking if he was in the group jumping up and down and he responded after we had gotten off the base. We went out to get him again that night and as he was walking across the parking lot to us, my heart started pounding!! That was the best sight I had ever seen! Tommy said that he didn't recoqnize him coming across the lot. Mama did!! I couldn recognize my baby anywhere! Oh, I grabbed him and hugged (didn't cry though) and didn't want to let him go. It was the best feeling in the world! We took him out and fed him well and had to get him back pretty early but, at least I knew we would get him again the next night.
The next night, we got to meet this friend and companion for the past 4 months. She was a beautiful girl with long black hair that curled down her back. She was from New Jersey and moved to Florida at 17. She is of Latin decent and has the sweetest disposition. It was clear that she cared deeply for Cody and he for her. She told me that he really made it easier being there for so long. They knew that their end was near and it made me sad that they were going to have to say goodbye so soon. We took them back early so they could spend some time together before graduating. We took her to the airport on Friday and after she left, I saw the distressed look on Cody's face. It broke my heart seeing his heart break. That was the saddest thing I think I've every had to witness. That told me just how much he cared for her. Hopefully, we will get to see her again. Bridget, it you get to read this, 'Thank you for coming into out lives and making the time much more enjoyable for my son'.
We came home to a suprise party for Mama. She was sorta ticked off because I had told her that we weren't coming home til Monday. We were going to have some one on one time with Cody and that he wanted some alone time once he returned. She was truly suprised when he walked in at the river.
On Sunday, we had some of his friends out and grilled. Had boating and horseback riding for those that wanted to do either. We are so thrilled to have him home, but now it's time for him to get back to his life and is moving to Starkville today. As much as I would love for him to remain here with us, I want him to get back to his routine and make a place for himself. I am so proud of him and his friends for the decisions they have made to serve out country.
On another note, as we were traveling home, everywhere we stopped, when he was in his uniform, people would come up and shake his hand. They would say thank you and some even told their stories of service. It was a proud and humbling moment to see complete strangers coming up to my son and honoring him. Wow...what a feeling of pride!!