Just when I thought I was going to Lose it!

So the past few weeks have been a bit tough around here for your favorite Army Mom...

Oh, it looked like I was humming right along without a care in the world... Creating

cookies to thank the Ranger's orthodontist, planning and executing a full remodel

of the living room I've been ignoring since the boys left home, and holding down

the dream job. But on the inside it was a different story... I was about to Spew! 

You see, it'd been three weeks since we'd heard anything from the Ranger and

every day the feeling that something wasn't right grew stronger. So I ran away...

First, to mountains and our neighbor's fabulous cabin. Then to Charleston!

But even the serenity of the mountains, and beauty of the coast couldn't

quiet the feeling that our soldier was out there missing us as much as we were

missing him. And the dreams... I was dreaming about him practically every

night. Vivid, memorable dreams. In the most memorable dream, we were

sitting at the dinner table listening to him tell us about his day. Wearing his

first-grade Catholic school uniform, he went on and on about the great day

he'd just had - Just like he used to do. Blond hair reflecting sunlight, which

always made him look like he was wearing either a crown or halo. His pale

blue eyes dancing with glee as every word filled the room with sweetness. I

woke up that morning and immediately told Army Dad about my dream, and

about how much I needed to hear that voice again. Then last Wednesday we

received a letter. It could not have been more unexpected or more welcome!

It's 7-pages, front and back and was written over a period of one week. When

Army Dad called to tell me about it, I begged him to bring it over to my office

so that I could read it for myself. It took me an hour and a half to read it, but

it only took a few seconds to realize that the day I dreamt about him at the

dinner table telling us about his wonderful day was the day our Ranger was

recording the pain of his lowest point. The simulated stress, sleep and food

deprivation, coupled with a case of trench foot that required attention from

medics, confirmed everything my heart already knew. So when I reached

the part of the letter where he indicated they would be allowed an 8-hour

pass on Friday between phases of Ranger School, I packed the bags!

We drove 1,100 miles for eight hours with him. There are only two words for that... 

 Worth It!

First stop was a gas station for Kit-Kat bars,

gummi bears and one Monster energy drink 

Then he wanted pancakes. Three different varieties, twelve

pancakes total. He kept the waitress at iHop hopping!

After he ate, we watched our Ranger drop over $700.00 in less than two hours

to fulfill a second RS packing list. This training will cost him over $3k of his own

money - and, he says it's worth every penny. I won't argue with him; however, I do

wish the 15 pairs of socks on the list could be Hanes... And, a bit less expensive!

While Ranger organized his gear and finished his laundry, Army Dad

and I cleared out of our hotel and then picked up a small pizza at Mellow

Mushroom to take back to him at the barracks. As his buddies were all

leaving to attend the semi-annual Ranger ball last night, our Ranger

shaved his perfect little head, put on his uniform, loaded his duffel bags

and then ate cold pizza on the ride back to RS. And then, just as suddenly

as it had begun, his 8-hour pass expired and we had to say good-bye again

We'll see you in September at graduation... In the meantime,

and always... Know that you carry with you my heart!