exposure to pathogens (naturally)

exposure to psychologically traumatising events

BUT IN REALITY

my fear (if I am being honest) is that the closeness we've been enjoying these past few weeks will never come again

like something I've been praying for for sooooooo long ... and I have it now .... and now I'm going to lose it all over again

he means so much to me ... and I had to let go of him in order to save him ... and now I am being required to let go again

stupid prideful fear

yuk

Pep,

No 2x4's from me...

What comes to mind regarding your son is how dynamic and charismatic young men are who have gone through the recovery process like your son has. You know what I mean - like the guys who stand up at AA Open Speaker Meetings, and set the world on fire.

He will be able to help people like no other...it is DIVINE that he is being sent there. To be fast-tracked, he's impressed the right people - What an honor!

Edited to add...I just remembered my other favorite "wielder" - Twyla, who swings a mighty fly-swatter. Bramble could invite her over for a swing at you!!
People on GQII probably haven't met her yet!~

Hi Pep,
I wish I could come and say something wise that would really help, but you probabl already know the answer.

Your mind thinks it's OK, but your heart has troubles with it. You lost him once, and you don't want to loose him again.

I suspect you prayed much for him when he was lost the first time. I believe that loving God that brought him back to you the then, will bring him back to you again.

It's the same now as it was then.
Pray in faith - and be believing.

We'll add our prayers too.

SS

Fear not Pepper for you and he will enjoy a closeness that only comes after the rites of passage into adulthood happen.

Csue speaks of what young men who have overcome great internal difficulties can accomplish and effect in their lives and this reminds me of the men who come to my church to speak to the youth. They are amazing personalities really.

Be proud and thankful, not fearful. It is time for this boy to shine Pep. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But excuse me while I go lock my little DD in the closet. She wants to go outside and play, can you imagine? Bugs, and cars, and other lil kids....yikes.

Oh I so know how you feel, and mine is only eleven! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Pep

I know just how you feel!!

I ironed my sons brand new dress uniform today so he can go off and play soldier at the Acdemny and get to be like his dad in Afghanistan ... I had some tears too!

18 is too young - should be holding onto my skirts still...I didn't give him permission to grow up!

Daughters 21 yr old fiance is in Iraq ..he's too young too & he doesn't even look like he shaves for Gods sake.

Mama's feelin old and the new baby is NOT allowed to grow up. Speaking of which its feeding time so of I go .... if I burnt his uniforms would they refuse to take him you think?

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

how come doing the right think hurts ?????

edit to correct "thing" .... but realizing "think" works just as well

*sigh*

egg-zak-lee

but he's not really "mine", is he ??? he belongs to God ....

rats....... I need a spiritual booster shot today

HA!

Because we are frightened pep.

After all the prayers and all the support THAT is what we feel.

My little darling is pouting so I had better feed the boy, does this one really have to grow up?? Better go its 2.00am here.

Night pep, hug him lots hear!!

I always find it helpful to pray the LORD'S PRAYER in these situations..

"THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN....

Pep:

What you are feeling is REAL LOVE..

(for any of those who say they don't know what it is)

He is yours..GOD GAVE HIM TO YOU.."Children are a GIFT FROM GOD"..especially YOUR CHILDREN..GOD FOUND THEM JUST FOR YOU AND MR. PEP....

nite'mydear ....

LOL .... my H is pouting coz I've been online too much today .... better go love him up now....

KEEP YELLING AT ME

She didn't tell you all of it. I told her to "be proud of her boy and to give him to God."

What I also said was that giving it to God did not mean she had to "like it".

I've given my son to God so many times...

He is returning to the coast tomorrow. I don't like it and I still worry. I just give him to God all over again.

A Mother's love and prayers and God's grace can cover our boys wherever they go.

I don't think it is any "accident" that God gave Pep a friend here in Mississippi. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Your pal,
Susan

God bless Louie and Louie's Mom.

Pep, although I am a scrapbooker, I have no God Box. What works for me (and y'all know I need alot of help) is that I actually put my arms extended into the air as high as I can and say out loud - I am giving this to you dear God. Please handle it for me. - I can actually, and I am not kidding here, feel the stress leave my fingertips.

If you feel like it - try it right now. Honestly, it works for me. You will feel much better.

(although I am a scrapbooker, I have no God Box ??? well, you know what I mean !!)

It must give you great comfort to know that we all are here for you. Dwell on that when you feel sad.

Car

R U afraid he will leave as a boy and come back as a man? Probably a little bit, eh? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

More afraid he will leave and get injured or something more tragic. Yes. As parents, that is all our fears.

Pep, if you really think about it, same stuff could happen to him even at home. Tragedy can befalls us in many places.

I think a deeper fear is he will go there, meet a girl and come back wanting to start a family. LOL!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ..... and Mr. Pep doesn't worry about this last item. Right?!?!?!

Tell me your parents never worried about you, while you were desparately trying to covince them to let you do what you knew you could do. Hmmmm???!??! Ok, if you child has your spunk and all the other good qualities from you and your H along with your love and support, not only will be do good out there but he will make you proud. You worked hard t/b proud parents, right?!??! Don't deny this opportunity.

Hugz from a mom who may be going through the same one day.

BTW, if this hurricane keeps coming, he can come here and bunk up with us, then I will watch over him so he don't fall for these cute island girls. I think that w/b the biggest worry. LOL!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

aloha,
L.

I see your son recieving many blessings. My son's outlook on life changed dramaticly when he spent his easter vacation ministering to children in Mexico with his fellow students from his christian high school. This will allow him to feel good about himself again. The people in need, have no idea what your son has been through the past few years, and he will be able to do something for those in trouble, which brings his own self worth up.
You will send away a boy, and a young man will return.
I will be saying prayers for your whole family Pepperband.

The message from our sermon today was about how helping others helps ourselves. That the best thing we can do is take the focus off ourselves and look to see how we can help someone else.

Winds have blown and have tried to destroy our foundation, but our foundations have gotten stronger. We will recover, but it will take a long time.

We are experiencing grief and loss, from homes and businesses to our landscape.

People that need relief themselves are out helping other people in worse situations. One lady at our church was helping pass out supplies when it was discovered that her house we badly damaged and she needed help herself, yet there she was helping others. People immediately went to help her cover her roof.

There are many sad stories. There are equally as many stories of love, compassion and hope.

Your son will receive a great blessing from this experience.

Pep,

My mom used to complain that "just when I get you to the point a really enjoy having you around...you leave." And my sibling and myself did just that. We are spread all over the country.

But, Pep given what you said about your son, has it occured to you that he NEEDS to do this. He has had some serious struggles, he has been helped by many and surely you and Mr. Pep. I am betting he NEEDS to give back, he needs to see this, he needs to experience both helping and seeing that his life has not been so bad.

Heck, my W is deep depression because youngest heads for college next week, so I am sure you feelings are normal. But as a friend of mine said: "The only thing worse that taking them to college and leaving them is...NOT"

I think in your case the worst case scenario would be that your son did NOT feel the way he does, and act on those feelings.

You are no doubt proud of him. Let him go so that he can grow.

God Bless,

JL

Yep, I think so too.

From church today:

Let each of us look not to our own interests, but to the interests of others.

Let the same mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus.

I'm so proud that he is looking at the interests of others.

Susan

Pep ~

I hear your fear of losing your boy after fighting so hard for him.

Remember however, how fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Let me share a heartbreaking story about my dad.

My little sister, at the age of 19, fell from a cliff while hiking at college, and died hours later.

Even before her death, my father had spent much of his life in fear, and used incredible control techniques on a daily basis, all to protect us from his fears. Fear motivated all of my father's parenting decisions.

Of course, losing a child, a child he'd worked so hard her entire life to protect, was devastating. I watched my parents suffer their loss, and I can't even imagine that pain.

Sadly for my father, the loss of my sister made him try harder. He became more protective, more controlling...and now...did not want any of my younger siblings to attend college away from home. He so greatly feared losing his children...

The result has been what he so feared. He has no relationship with the 3 younger girls. In fact, his fear has driven them completely away from him. The anger towards my father in my younger sisters is deep and powerful.

There are more than one way of losing a child Pep....

Be grateful for his recovery. Be grateful that he has found in his heart the capacity and willingness to care and love others. Be proud of yourself as his mother, that he is the boy he is today because of your fight for him.

He is being given a wonderful opportunity. God truely is watching out for your son.

Be very careful with your tears....you do not want your son to believe that you do not believe that he can do this.