Friday, July 24, 2009

The Bebe is 21

During the past week, I've reminisced about my child. My only child. Therefore I am totally biased in all my opinions and you cant tell me different. Not that you'd want to I'm thinking.

Anyway, we had a discussion towards the end of high school about where she wanted to go to school and if she was going to take an academic scholorship or athletic scholorship. Academic won out. She was still gonna play travel ball but she didnt want to be owned by a school team and she was actually burning out a bit on softball. Believe it or not, she also got offered a soccer scholorship as well. Even though she wasnt playing travel soccer, she was playing on the high school team and I guess she was known.

We discussed the Navy a couple of times while she was in high school and I pushed for her to go to college while she had the scholorships available and get her degree. Then she could possibly do the Navy afterwards and maybe get a commision. Well, after two years in college, she decided that she was tired of learning bullshit that she'd never use in the real world. She approached me at first with the idea of going thru the fire academy and then paramedic school. I gave her the honest truth....firefighters and paramedics are a dime a dozen right now. I know so many certified FF and Para's that are just sitting around not working or working in a field totally unrelated.

She then said, "Can I join the Navy now?" Without hesitation I said thats it was a great idea and lets see what you have to do. It took about a month of prep and waiting but on May 18th, 2008 she enlisted in the DEP program with the rate of XXXXXX. She left for boot camp in Great Lakes on November 5th, 2008.

She's not in "love" with the Navy per say. She has good days and bad days. Some where she thinks she made the biggest mistake of her life and calls me begging to help her get out. She has no idea how she's gonna make it for 6 years active duty away from her friends and family. The rate she's in takes a good year and a half to complete all the training and quals and the navy is big on "holding" while waiting for training modules to start. "Hurry up and Wait" is the Navy's favorite saying. She is a typical young adult in our era, she wants it NOW!! I tell her all the time, "Nothing good or worthwhile is easy and its not going to be handed to you, you've got to work for it and earn it." This is a learning experience for her and sometimes painful for me to watch. She's getting better though. She's growing up and accepting her responsiblities. She knows she'll love her job. In due time she'll be living her dream.

I truly feel like I was the luckiest parent in the world. This kid gave me so little grief growing up it was almost unreal. I kept waiting for the terrible two's, didnt happen. I kept waiting for teenage angst, didnt happen. Kept waiting for the "I hate you" stage, didnt happen. I'm not sure why. I know people say your supposed to raise your kids to respect you/have fear of you/and NOT be their friend. Well, we have been friends, since day one. Its not to say we didnt fight and have arguments, but it just never escalated to the point of not having respect for each other. Respect is the key if you ask me. And it works both ways. I picked my battles with her and didnt sweat the small stuff. I feel bad for those good parents out there that do everything right and have horrible kids. Bad kids that do nothing but get in trouble. I'm so lucky.

Its a momentous day, she can actually have a BEER AND die for her country now.

Hoo-rah xxxxxxxxx, Happy Birthday!!

I love you Lauren. I am soooo proud of you.

Family Cruise '06 - Senior year HS





















I love the Whites!!





















Blues =)


















Thanks for putting up with my little trip down memory lane. Back to bitchin on Monday!!

10 comments:

Gia's Spot said...

*sniff* Oh got a tear in my eye after this one!! Your pride and love is bustin' thru!! And I think all that respect and stuff, you did show her that and how to be a good kid without the anger!! VERY hard to do as a single Mom!! Hoorah peedee!! Haha word verification is orock!!

Unknown said...

I wanna do it again Gia!! I'd give anything to go back and do it again with her, exactly the same way.

I loved, loved, loved my childhood. I had a blast and I wanted her to have the same. We grew up very differently though. I had 6 brothers and sisters running around and two parents. She was an only child of a single parent. So different. I asked her tonight what she would change if anything and her response, "Not a thing mom, I only wish it was longer".

Now that brought a tear to my eye.

Cant wait to see you next week!!

Gia's Spot said...

No that one produced the "lump in the throat" !! Awwwwwwwww

Gia's Spot said...

Oh and No fair, you already know what I look like so when you spot me you can like, pretend not to and stuff!!! LOL whoot!!! Gonna party like a rock star!! (its pretty funny though, I have only drank once in front of my daughters and they are almost thirty!!) so this will be interesting when she see's me doing shots of Patron!! :}

Unknown said...

Ha Ha ur funny! shots of Patron!! I will not be doing shots of Patron...I am a very "cheap date" lmao! two shots and I'd be giving away the kitchen sink so to speak. I'll send you a pick so your not in the dark.

Gia's Spot said...

Was really a metaphor??Me doing two shots would have me on the bar dancing to Dancing Queen in my head and a visit to the puking princess potty!! Ok in my day (two years ago) I could probably do 4 shots but its been too long!! Plus who wants their child to see them shithouse? Umm not I!!! Just busin to get outta here! Working a double today so its now 310 am and I am here until 4 pm !! argggggg

Unknown said...

ouch!!!! doubles suck.

Edith Bunker said...

Congratulations! I hope and pray I can write a similar story in a few years.

Unknown said...

I have no doubt you will!

Sisu said...

I adore that last picture..looks like you did a good job mom!