In the wee hours of the morning in San Antonio, Texas on a Fall morning...my sons became Airmen with the Kentucky Air National Guard....
Birth
Baptism
BMT (Basic Military Training)
You have these babies and you never know what God is going to do with them. As a mother, all you really can do is pray.....and, that is enough.
The trainees waiting to take their oath
There is something special about listening to the US Anthem knowing that it is the last time you hear it as a civilian mother/family.....and, that from that moment on, you will hear it as a military family
Everyone works so hard to see their son or their daughter...but, in the end, they are all our sons and daughters....every single one
"Tapping out" Airman Kenton McKenzie....a moment I will forever cherish in my Mama's heart....I sent to Texas a boy...we sent a boy. They gave us back a man who is ready to serve our country. Love him.
They boys made life-long friends....
Poppy, a Viet Nam Vet and Grammy went with us to watch the boys graduate. Watching this through the eyes of my father was a special blessing. Seeing him salute the flag, tear up at the Anthem...priceless. Passing down his legacy to my sons...
Ian...the solid rock who got the ball rolling for the boys to go into the guard.....forever grateful for his leadership and gentle leading
Friends who will be with them forever in memory of going through BMT and making it
Home for 8 and 1/2 weeks of life changing BMT at Lackland Air Force Base
A1C Kenton McKenzie presenting his bed, closet and facilities
Kenton was assigned "Chow Runner". Google it. It is not a job for the faint of heart and when he told me that was his assignment, I knew it was the perfect job for him. Chow Runner is responsible for asking permission for his flight to go to and from the dining hall each day. It is a stressful job but it forces young men to very quickly get used to his military bearings because he works with the MTI's and is responsible for his flight's entering and leaving the dining facility. He did very well.
Airman Johnson McKenzie sharing a few of the many, many letters and cards sent to him by family and friends. Thank you for taking time to touch base with our sons. It made a difference.
According to Johnson, only two of the showerheads worked for about a bunch of men at one time...the others were for looks and polishing...:)
Same with the latrine. Only one stall worked but note how finely polished the stainless is.
Johnson telling Ian that everyone tried to use one sink so that the person assigned to polishing the faucets and cleaning the windows, etc. only had to clean one.
Johnson's job was to shine the water fountains and the thresholds to the rooms. He named each water fountain. This was named after his girl friend, Shelbi. He loved it!
He was proud to share his threshold and dared anyone to walk on it....
Proud Poppy and Grammy and Mama waiting at the Airman's run to see our men
Tapping out is a life changing moment....it was an honor to tap out Johnson. The first time I had seen him in 8.5 weeks. He went from boy to man in that short of a time. And, I'll never forget the hard, tight hug. Ever. Love him.
New "family" came into our lives...AIC Jake Reynolds and his lovely bride, Kelly. We love them and now, they are a part of our family forever.
Kelly's dad is Lt. General Clarke (three star) and he met our family. It was a great experience watching the boys be introduced to him. What an honor...
We stayed on base so we could be close to the boys. This was them relaxing in our room. No five star hotel, but it sure felt like it to us.
They talked and talked and talked....and talked some more....and, we listened.
My sons have walked a million miles together....their sister, too. I have loved them the whole way....ultimately, they are God's and I pray that I remain along for the ride. I pray they find HIM in their daily living and do not let us...you...me...cause them to stumble on their path, but rather, we are the light of God illuminating their path in what it means to be HIS.
They are watching....our children. They will follow us in example. Like it or not, we are HIM to THEM.
For all times, in all ways.....so how we live our lives matters. My prayer is that for the balance of my days, I am a Godly mother, a worthy mother....a mother who stands in front of them, beside them and behind them every single day of their lives.
And, so we celebrate....not just this "homecoming" with friends and family...but, all the many homecomings yet to come....
H
