19 Seconds

Over the weekend, time just ticked on, without a care to upcoming events. The weekend was crackling with anticipation, nerves, excitement and worry: Stress. The best way I know how to deal with stress is to clean. This is very hard to do when one arm is compromised in a sling! I had surgery on my left shoulder/bicep tendon on 11/27/2013 and have to wear a sling for 4-weeks. I cannot take it off; only to shower and for physical therapy. It's driving me crazy to say the least. Everything I cleaned looked cleaner on the right side than the left side; well to me anyways. The cleaning filled the time.

Sunday arrived. Who knew the day we had to drive Patrick to the recruiters office in Hatboro, PA, for the start of his journey that we would be in the middle of a mini snow storm. Of course, it was totally miscalled by the weather forecasters. That's the job to have; you look at a weather map, chose what you think will happen with a 50% chance of getting it wrong. No worries, you get to keep your job!  Just saying...Patrick was to arrive at the office 2:00 PM, so we left our home at 1:00 PM - plenty of time. In normal circumstances the drive would take 30 - 40 minutes, tops. Patrick was only to take with him a photo ID, his social security card, and address book. He wore his high tops, jeans, a tee shirt and a short sleeve button down shirt. He refused to wear a hoodie, sweater or jacket because "We're not allowed Mama." Patrick explained this to me as if I was a three-year old who just didn't know any better.  I tried to get Patrick to at least carry a hoodie in the car, after all he could always take it off when we got there, but apparently it would take too much time to get it. Seriously?

Every road was slow and slushy. A couple of roads were closed. I believe we hit every single red light on the way there. It's at times like these where it becomes clearly apparent that Patrick is his father's son. Neither one has any patience. Mark, (my DH), was totally white knuckling the steering wheel. Patrick was in the back seat totally white knuckling the over head bar. Every time we encountered a red light, both of them did their imitation of a deflating tire; you know the sound, a gasp followed by the huge sigh.

 

Patrick was so nervous that we weren't going to get there on time that at one point I thought he was going to jump out of the car and jog to Hatboro! We did arrive right on time. We were the first ones there! The sergeant who was driving to Ft. Dix, NJ, was picking up a few recruits in Quakertown, PA, and was delayed due to the weather. The staff sergeant who was to give the recruits a quick indoctrination before leaving the office was tied up in traffic as well. An hour behind schedule, the sergeant came in with three recruits who were heading down with Patrick. Each one had on either a hoodie or jacket. I immediately looked at Mark who just shook his head. Mark is very good at just shaking his head; those frustrating quiet alpha males! As soon as the sergeant walked in, he looked at his wrist watch.

The sergeant checked out Patrick's identification, turned to Mark and I and said, "This is the time for good-bye's Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds". I am not sure what look Patrick or Mark had on their faces when this was said since my eyes immediately formed tears and blurred my vision. Time flew right out the window into the snow.

I grabbed Patrick's neck to pull him down for a hug, a kiss to his cheek and whispered 'I love you mi Patricio', (my Patrick). I was proud that I didn't turn into a blubbering mess. That came as I watched Mark hug Patrick good-bye; after that my tears flowed non-stop.  After the hugs of good-bye, Mark started to head out but my mind raced with a million and one thoughts and pictures.  The implosion of thoughts and pictures took me to Patrick being born, his first time getting on the school bus, his First Communion, prom, graduation from high school, Patrick with his two brothers, Jeff and Phillip. I had no words other than to whisper to the heavens, 'Lord, keep him safe, free from harm. I leave him in Your care' and left. The good-byes took less than three minutes.

The ride home although still with snowy roads and traffic, was quiet. Mark and I were both lost in our thoughts. As I walked into our home I knew that this was it; new phase of life was beginning for me. The beginning started as we waited for Patrick's one and only telephone call advising that he had arrived at his destination. Time dragged on.

Patrick called on Tuesday, 12/10/2013 at 12:03 AM. He said, "This is Recruit Reynolds. I have arrived safely at Parris Island, SC. Please do not send me any packages or bulky items. I will be writing you in 10 days with my address. Thank you for your support". The call lasted 19 seconds. That was it. Nineteen seconds of scripted words from my son. No time for Mark and I to say 'I love you', 'Be safe', no time to ask him any questions.

So, we move forward with the knowledge that he is in the care of the US Marine Corps with the goal of becoming a US Marine. As we wait for his first letter, we move on; going to work, to eat, to sleep, to live. Just as time, we move forward.