Riding the Waves of Parenthood and Patriotism
It’s Veterans Day, people! A day when we salute our brave hearts in uniform, and I, as a military mom, do my usual — oscillate between bursting pride and biting nails.
So get this. My 20-year-old son, who probably still can’t find matching socks to save his life — a spitting image of his mother — has just been deployed on a secret mission.
It’s so hush-hush that it’s straight out of Fight Club — you know, “The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.”
My boy has been stationed on a US Navy destroyer. Not just any destroyer, though. He’s on one of the most badass motherfuckers on the sea: The USS Sullivans. He’s doing serious big-boy Navy stuff.
The USS Sullivans and My Little Hero
My son’s role? He’s an FC-Aegis Spy Technician, which is just a fancy way of saying he plays hide-and-seek with super high-tech equipment. Basically, his job is to make sure the bad guys don’t throw us a surprise party.
I’ve only recently come to grips with all this. It turns out, he’s somewhat in the dark himself, receiving little to no guidance. It’s all a bit bewildering. And here I am, thinking: “When did the kid who couldn’t even handle a Math test become a fierce defender of the seas?”
The Navy Surprise
My son’s leap into Navy life was like diving headfirst into the deep end but without floaties. It caught me completely off guard. One day he nonchalantly drops, ‘Hey Mom, I’m joining the Navy.’ Inside, I’m screaming ‘Holy shit,’ but all I managed to say was ‘Cool.’ It’s not worlds apart from his childhood days of meticulously lining up toy soldiers. Now, he’s rubbing shoulders with real-life servicemen.
Life throws you curveballs, huh? One minute, you’re reprimanding your little troublemaker; the next, he’s out there, our nation’s defender. For me, it’s a huge WTF? moment.
How it all Began
Rewind to my teen years — pregnant at 18, a would-be fast-pitch softball star turned momzilla. My folks thought I was nuttier than a Snickers bar. But hey, I chose the baby over ball, and look where we are now — my son’s out there making waves, literally.
I can’t overlook my better half, the man who’s stood by me like a rock. Back when I was the quintessential wild child, he was the calm in my storm. We’ve known each other since our preteen days. Together, we’ve weathered quite a few storms, but he’s always been the steadying force amidst my chaos, transforming my ‘oops’ moments into ‘aha!’ ones — often with a bit more honesty than I bargained for.
And let’s not leave out the mini-me at home. This one’s shooting for the stars, acing tests like they’re going out of style. He’s living proof that despite my questionable parenting skills, something went incredibly right.
Hooyah!
So, this Veterans Day, while my heart’s sailing with The USS Sullivans, I’m here, a cocktail of pride, nerves, and a tad bit of anxiety — did he really pack enough socks?
Here’s to all the brave souls and their families — the unsung heroes who probably wonder, just like me, if their kids remember to separate the whites from the colors while doing laundry.
© 2023 Evelyn Ann Rose. All rights reserved.
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