Our son is eighteen…and everyone says that means he’s an adult…old enough to make his own decisions….that we no longer have the right to tell him what to do. Although it can be argued, that he never did do what we told him to do, whatever his age. And although the government says he’s still not old enough order a beer, they believe he’s old enough to choose whether or not he gives said government 8 years of his life to serve at their discretion. Did I mention our son is thinking about joining “The Few, The Proud, The Marines”. Although if you were to ask him he would tell you he IS going to sign up…it’s simply a matter of when….
I’m conflicted….part of me is very proud that my son, who has all the options in the world, wants to serve his country. I am a strong supporter of our military and a strong believer that we, as a nation, reap the benefits of their sacrifice. I never really thought of how great a sacrifice it is for their families….sad, but true.
In theory it all sounds good…but I never thought that we, as a family, would ever answer that call to serve and sacrifice with anything more than our money. And I know it’s not fair to say “Not my son…” But I’m feeling very fair right now because this is my son…
Alex is a wonderful young man…strong, confident, and capable. He loves to talk, to laugh and to make others laugh. He has firm beliefs about right and wrong and often steps in to defend those who seem unable to stand up for themselves. He’s generous with his time and money. He is reliable and strong and responsible. He works hard at whatever he is doing and takes pride in caring for his apartment and car and himself. He wants to excel at everything he does. He’s often cocky and yet if you get to know him you realize he’s also kind. He possesses all the qualities of a wonderful human being….and yes, he would make an excellent Marine, if he can curb his “attitude”….but I’d still rather have him home, safe…going to school, getting a job, eventually giving me the daughter I’ve longed for and the grand children I hope give him as hard a time as he’s given us.
I know that the percentage of marine’s to die in combat is relatively small….I don’t think that matters if it’s your son whose life is lost. Even more than that is the fear that he won’t come back the same happy young man we gave them. That he’ll spend years of his life doing something he didn’t sign up for….like digging ditches or checking in cars at an embassy gate.
On top of the usual worries and fears, I don’t want to lose my son to the demands of the Marines. Christmas and Easter and Thanksgiving and birthdays, even Jacob’s high school graduation…those are family times and the government will rob me of those memories….and I already resent it even though Alex hasn’t made up his mind yet, ha!
But he’s eighteen. And his life is his to live…and to give…any way he chooses. Pray for all of us, for his safety and our peace of mind. He thinking long and hard about this decision…we want him to be safe but more than that we want him to be happy… I expect there is no right or wrong choice in this situation. It’s just choosing a path and it’s Alex’s choice….at eighteen….
I’m conflicted….part of me is very proud that my son, who has all the options in the world, wants to serve his country. I am a strong supporter of our military and a strong believer that we, as a nation, reap the benefits of their sacrifice. I never really thought of how great a sacrifice it is for their families….sad, but true.
In theory it all sounds good…but I never thought that we, as a family, would ever answer that call to serve and sacrifice with anything more than our money. And I know it’s not fair to say “Not my son…” But I’m feeling very fair right now because this is my son…
Alex is a wonderful young man…strong, confident, and capable. He loves to talk, to laugh and to make others laugh. He has firm beliefs about right and wrong and often steps in to defend those who seem unable to stand up for themselves. He’s generous with his time and money. He is reliable and strong and responsible. He works hard at whatever he is doing and takes pride in caring for his apartment and car and himself. He wants to excel at everything he does. He’s often cocky and yet if you get to know him you realize he’s also kind. He possesses all the qualities of a wonderful human being….and yes, he would make an excellent Marine, if he can curb his “attitude”….but I’d still rather have him home, safe…going to school, getting a job, eventually giving me the daughter I’ve longed for and the grand children I hope give him as hard a time as he’s given us.
I know that the percentage of marine’s to die in combat is relatively small….I don’t think that matters if it’s your son whose life is lost. Even more than that is the fear that he won’t come back the same happy young man we gave them. That he’ll spend years of his life doing something he didn’t sign up for….like digging ditches or checking in cars at an embassy gate.
On top of the usual worries and fears, I don’t want to lose my son to the demands of the Marines. Christmas and Easter and Thanksgiving and birthdays, even Jacob’s high school graduation…those are family times and the government will rob me of those memories….and I already resent it even though Alex hasn’t made up his mind yet, ha!
But he’s eighteen. And his life is his to live…and to give…any way he chooses. Pray for all of us, for his safety and our peace of mind. He thinking long and hard about this decision…we want him to be safe but more than that we want him to be happy… I expect there is no right or wrong choice in this situation. It’s just choosing a path and it’s Alex’s choice….at eighteen….
No comments:
Post a Comment