B-I-G changes in our lifes!!!

     There are two VERY BIG changes currently about to start in our life. VERY BIG indeed!!!

     Our youngest son, Brent, whom will be 22 this July, just pulled out of the driveway. He is headed to the recruiter's office - - - to officially sign the papers - - - to enlist in the Navy - - - for a six year stint. - - - He hopes to join the seabee's.
    Part of us is darn proud of "the boy". Both Brian and I have always strove to teach our sons to treat veterans with respect. We've taught them that without all of the men and women whom have served in this countries military forces, our country would not / could not be what it is today. He was in the 8th grade on that horrendous September 11th, and it made an enormous impact on him. He wants to do 'his part' in helping to keep America the 'home of the free'. So on the one hand, we're proud of him.
    But the other hand is our parental hand. The one that wants to pull our children close and keep them there! We know we can not protect them from all of the badness in the world, no matter how much we might be tempted to. And we are not interested in 'smothering' our children. Heck, we need breathing space from them to, if you want to know the truth of it all. But to let one go off and join the military - that's BIG!!!
    He's 22, so no, he does not need our permission to join up. Didn't mean it that way. Just clarifying.
    And yes, we know that many people head off to foreign lands and make it home safe again. Changed. But safe. But ...
    And yes, we know that we could 'lose him' even if he stayed close to home. He was hit by that car in the 4th grade while crossing the street. And Brandon was hit by a car while driving our van, and if it had connected a foot differently he wouldn't still be with us. And Brian had got hit by the falling steel at work and thankfully only ended up with stitches in his head. And Brandon had fallen off that scaffolding. And ... there's w-a-y to many examples in our resume of life!!!! But joining the military, well , it just seems so ...... heavy on our parental hearts.

      Brian had posted this on his Facebook page - "2 more nights and I'll no longer be a Vampire. Looking forward to being a day walker. It's been 15 years since I've seen the sun, hope it's still there."
    Tonight will be his last night working nights. My husband, whom HATES change, signed the posting and used his seniority to switch shifts. Instead of getting off at 6:30 a.m., he will be getting up to get ready to head off to work.
    We are going to try it for a year. If he decides he hates it, he can switch back again next April.
    There are some down points to it. Things like he will no longer be available to take me to doctor's appointments. Once I'm over being so dizzy, we will not be able to resume our 'date day Friday's'. Etc..
    But we are rooting for the possible good points from the change. Many reports state that people whom work all night shifts, are far more likely to have harder times losing weight, and controlling their blood pressure, and sugar problems, and sleep apnea, etc..
    He currently often struggles with going to bed, due to feeling like all he does is sleep the day away. Having friends over seems pert near impossible, because he sleeps till _ and then has to leave for work. And on Sunday afternoons he tries to go back to bed by _ so that he can get "his body upside down again" (as he refers to it).
    And the examples for this go on as well.

      So..., there are two VERY BIG changes currently about to start in our life. VERY BIG indeed!!!