Who Is This Man?

I've been thinking about this for a while now, but still haven't figured it out.  Hopefully, resolution is soon forthcoming because it's beginning to gnaw at my heart and brain.

When Andrew left for Basic Training last year (just a few days shy of the one-year mark!), we sent a giddy, all-knowing teenage boy to the Navy.   Away he went, still a child, despite his age.  I kissed him good-bye, wished him well on his adventure and felt my heart break.  At that moment I realized my boy was gone.  My long-time friend was leaving.  Cutting the apron strings - in one fell swoop.  Snipped.

Resolution came when we went to Chicago to see him graduate from Basic - an amazing, pride-filled ceremony filled with military pomp and regalia.  Truly a spectacle and the kids who graduated beamed with pride and accomplishment.  When I finally got to see our "Sailor" the hugs and kisses were like none other.  Reconnection at it's finest! 

Then came 2 trips home and I realized my sweet boy had not left . . . our "Andrew" was still there.   Still a little inattentive to details.  Still a little messy.  Still a little aloof.  Still Andrew!

Now he's been at sea for several months, with still more to come.  We communicate regularly via e-mail and that helps tremendously!  But e-mail isn't the same as seeing your child - actually talking face-to-face with him.  Looking him in the eye to understand the real meaning of what he's saying and thinking.  Like only a mother can do. 

I'm afraid that when he comes home after having been on the ship for so long he will have grown into a man - even more so than after Basic.  And the part that's hard for me is that I haven't seen the evolution along the way because we've been separated.  So much is learned, felt, communicated through unintentional habits and actions.  Andrew and I used to be so "in tune" with one another that it was pretty difficult for him to bullshit me.  Caught him mostly every time he tried!

So when he comes home again in December 2010 who will that person be?  I know he's become a man.  But who is that man?   How much of our Andrew will be there?  All of him, I hope.  Grown-up.  Mature. Responsible.  And still our Andrew . . .

Mojitos and More

In his latest e-mail, Andrew told me about getting his tattoo.  I still haven't seen a picture of it yet, but he tells me it's his favorite one.  Good thing he likes it.  Tattoos last a lifetime. 

He said he's had a great time in port and they're heading out soon with plans to return in a few weeks for a working party.  I'm not sure what they're going to work on, but they'll be doing some kind of work next time.

He discovered mojitos while he was at a casino, played cards there for 2 days and lost only $40.00.  He played a lot of Black Jack.  On his first game of Texas Hold 'Em he bet $20.00 and won.  Not bad for a first-time gambler!

Here's to good sailing, Andrew and crew!

Still 2nd . . . After All These Years!

First, I'm not thrilled with multiple tattoos.  One or two?  Love it!  But several?  No thanks!

When I got Andrew's e-mail this AM, I was interested in what he's been doing.  He talked about getting "stores" which is when a supply ship brings them more stuff: food, potable water, supplies, etc.  He also described watching two dolphins entertain him while he helped re-fuel the ship.  Then he asked me to scan a drawing he did a few years ago because when he gets into port, he's going to get another tattoo.  I was o.kay with that until he asked me for the year Grammy died.  What?  When do I get acknowledged in a frickin' tattoo?  I thought "Mom" was one of the first tattoos Navy guys got.  Guess I was wrong again!

So, being the good, responsive mother that I am, I scanned his drawing and sent the date along with it.  Guess I've missed out on the tattoo again!!   Forever his "second mother" . . . .

Image of soon-to-be tattoo

Crazy Parent Humor for Andrew

On our trip to Lawrence last week, David and I kept a video log that we'll send to Andrew soon.  Here's a silly clip from that log . . . and yes, the rest of them are just as nutty.

Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?

Remember that song?  Or maybe it was an actual tv show.  Anyway, instead of "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?", we're going to play, "Where in the World is Andrew's Navy Ship?".  And,  because I can't post his whereabouts on any website, I'll post some photos of where he is and hopefully you will recognize it.  I know that members of our family have traveled to this part of the world and we know someone who has a house there.   Looks beautiful!!!  Hope Andrew enjoys his time there!

More Adventures At Sea and Ice Cream!

It's so fun to learn what Andrew gets to see while he's out there sailing on the ocean.  Here's an excerpt of an e-mail he sent me a few days ago.    Tuna and dolphins . . . how cool! 

They put down fish call today so I did a little fishing today for about an hour. We walked out on the flight  deck and saw 2 dolphins circling around a school of tuna. The tuna were (-----) huge! They were like the size of me just swimming around trying not get eaten by the dolphins. 

We had an ice cream social this evening. I had chocolate chip ice cream with butter fingers as a topping,  then some soft serve ice cream.

Mailing Address at Sea . . . and More!

Wow!  Andrew's adventure has given him opportunities to see really cool stuff.  Here are excerpts from recent e-mails I got from him.  He has more experiences to add to his list of ways he can tell he's not in Kansas anymore!

First e-mail:

Had a good couple of days so far!  We are taking on fuel today so im gonna have busy afternoon!  Hopefully it wont take too long.  Did you get the newsletter about how we got fuel last time?  Did you see the pictures?  that's how we do it.  I tried sending you pics from xxxxxxxxx but it didn't send so next time we are in port ill send them!

Can you just buy a box of copenhagen wintergreen for me and send it to me?  Ill give ya some money when i get back to Everett.  We might do a tiger cruise our last week of deployment.  That's where you or papi get to come aboard for a week so if your interested let me know.  I gotta go.

Love ya

Second e-mail:

Yup saw lots of flying fish today while I was refueling!  Like at least 200 at once.  It was way cool.

Thanks for getting that for me.  I liked the beef jerky.  Maybe could ya send some candy like air heads, gummy worms, stuff like that?                                                      

                                                x x x x x x x
And for anyone who's interested, Andrew's address at sea is:

GSM FR STYES, Andrew
USS Rodney M Davis FG 60
FPO AP 96663-1514

 
It takes at least a month for him to get anything you send.    Slow boat to China?  Nope, slow boat to Andrew!