My son, my only child, leaves somewhere between Dec. 7-10 for deployment to the middle east. He will be 23 in two weeks. He says it will be at least a year and a half, possibly longer before we see him again.

I need your prayers. This pain as a mother is far greater than any pain I ever felt from infidelity or betrayal.

If you have loved ones there now, how do you cope besides constant prayer? I have got to get a grip. <img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" />

Susan

<small>[ November 10, 2003, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: Susan ]</small>

Susan - Praying will help, and also comfort you that there is something you can do. My nephew just got back, thin and tan. He felt it was a good experience for him. I live by Camp Pendleton and have been very involved with a group called Operation Interdependence. We sent boxes of donated items to the troops and decorated the base, streets, and buses that brought them home. It really helped the days go by. Also I urge everyone on this site to pray that the war will soon be over. Good luck to you, and please thank your son for answering the call in our country's time of need.

{{{{{{{{{{{suz}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I'm praying suz,,,

Thanks believer and Nerly.

Believer, I'm wondering, did your nephew have any way of contacting his family while he was there? Did he have email, even limited? I know international calling is VERY expensive.

Also, any tips on things to take, such as "baby wipes" etc?

Thanks,
Susan

Hello Susan,

My prayers are with you.

It sounds as though tomorrow, Veteran's Day, will be an especially moving time for you.

As someone who has served overseas with the military I can tell you that the biggest issue your son will probably face will be loneliness. There will be times when he is with a thousand other men and women, but still he'll be lonely.

The best things that my family did while I was OS was to remember me with lots of cards, letters, "goodies" from home. (Stuff that won't turn in to a science experiment during the month long trek...my then GF, now wife, sent me some Zucchini/Chocolate Chip cookies that were REAL moist. By the time I got them they were covered in about an inch of mold! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> )

But also...PICTURES. Pictures of every special event, so that he doesn't feel like he's missing out on things. Take more pictures this year than you ever have before, and send them all on to him. That will mean a LOT.

Prayers and blessings,

Oscar

Many big hugs for you {{{{{{{Suz}}}}}}}

As a mom, I know this has GOT to be difficult for you, tho I haven't experienced it yet (my HS Jr. son is planning a full-time military career).

I'm sure there's a family services group for his unit...join up with it. They will help you with information on how/where the troops are, what they need, etc. (as much as possible, anyway). The groups also have monthly get togethers to talk/cry/vent. Take advantage of that, if you feel it will help you.

My H was active duty for a year during Desert Storm and a year for Iraqi Freedom (30 day rotations flying troops/supplies into the Middle East), so I kind of understand what you're going thru. But I'm pretty sure I'd worry and hurt LOTS more if it were my child.

Prayers of a righteous man (woman) DO availeth much, Suz. Keep up your communication with the Father. Your son is in the palm of His hand... and so are you.

I will be praying for you and your family. I promise.

Lori

Susan,

I'll pray for your son and your family. Give him my thanks for his service.

((((((((Suz)))))))))

Each day and night I promise I will say a prayer for your son, until you have him back.

How to cope? One day at a time, we are learning that <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> . We HAVE to trust God on this.

Also look at what OtG said. maybe you won't hear a lot from him, but he will from you if you send him letters, pictures and things you know he likes.

Suz, if you want to talk, need company you know I'm there, any time! ok?

Take care

Praying praying!

((((hugs)))) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

Ditto what was said above re support groups.

My brother-in-law just got back. He was in Iraq for over a year. He was able to contact us while there at different times -- sometimes by phone and sometimes by e-mail. It was easier later than in the beginning when all h*ll broke loose. He has just been told he will be going back to Iraq or Afghanistan next year. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

I HIGHLY recommend getting into a support group.

Oh yeah, you said... </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> This pain as a mother is far greater than any pain I ever felt from infidelity or betrayal.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">This is so true. I lost my first child, a daughter, when she was 2 years and 10 mos old -- when I found out about A, I told WS "This hurts but lucky for you NOTHING can ever hurt me as bad as I have already been hurt in my life! I didn't need this and it does hurt but it is more the betrayal than the infidelity."

<small>[ November 10, 2003, 01:37 PM: Message edited by: SoDisappointed ]</small>

hey suz----will be praying every night.

please thank him for me and my family!!

Your son is in my prayers.

So are you and B.

Pep

<small>[ November 10, 2003, 06:44 PM: Message edited by: Pepperband ]</small>

susan...

i know not what words to use to comfort you...

you and your son are in my thoughts and prayers...

♥ ♥ ♥
oaktown...

<small>[ November 10, 2003, 05:50 PM: Message edited by: oaktown ]</small>

I appreciate all the prayers. I feel them already and as I re-read this thread, I realized that I was asking for prayer for me and the one in harms way will be my son.

Truthfully, my son seems to be handling it better than any of us. I guess the military trains them for this, but I still pray for his safety.

Thank you again for your prayers and support.

Susan

I think we should all make a point of praying for our service men and women, and for the people in Iraq. Yes, even the bad guys. God is great and he can fix them also.

Susan - Back again. We did not hear at all from my nephew between January and July. We knew what battalion he was in and of course watched the news constantly. It was very difficult. Several times we could tell where he was by watching the news (he was in infantry). My SIL could not eat or sleep. It was very hard for her. However getting busy helped. In the program I was in we had to send a box with baggies that weighed 8 oz. each - 50 of them, one for each person. They really wanted chapstick, phone cards (AT&T worked best), sunscreen, one-time use cameras, coffee (at that time they were moving so fast the supplies were slow getting there), snacks, eye drops,etc. They had a trailer that was like a little store, but everything was bought out quickly. It may have changed, now that they are not moving so quickly. We sent games, crosswords, and letters. The big problem is boredom. Try to get your community involved - we got tons of donations from everyone. Most Americans really appreciate the sacrifices these men and women are making. Anyway good luck and try to get really involved. It really helps.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">phone cards (AT&T worked best), </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">International calling cards? Where did you purchase them?

Thanks! This does help tremendously!

Susan