Making the Dream Reality: Dreamality

I started out my blog asking the question, 'Why Now?' The question was meant to be redundant. However, in these last few days a new chapter of my life has been presented and has caused me to have an answer to the question, 'Why Now?'

 My youngest son, Patrick, (AKA The Boy), is going to Marine Corp boot camp. Being a Marine has been Patrick's dream since he was 10-years old. In the spring of his junior year of high school, Patrick contacted the local recruiting office to begin the official process; and a process it has been. Patrick has met with other recruits (called Pooley's) also part of his recruiting office, every Thursday afternoon, and once every second Saturday of each month since. The recruiters work out with the Pooley's, getting them physically ready as well as emotionally ready for boot camp and for becoming US Marines. Patrick has definitely turned his dream into a reality: DREAMALITY!

Patrick's initial contract had him leaving for boot camp in mid-February, 2014. However, an opportunity to leave prior to his contract date was made known earlier this week. Patrick leaves for boot camp tomorrow. For me, this has illuminated the path of my blog: writing of my journey as the 'Mama' of a Marine recruit through boot camp and beyond.

Patrick's dream started on the day that I became lost going to church in Virginia. Although I grew up in Northern  Virginia, over the years the area has changed so much. Even though it has to be said that after over 23 years of living in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I still get lost! The truth is I am severely directionally challenged; a trait I fear I have given to my oldest son, Jeff. I only hope Jeff does not find himself in the many predicaments I have over the years: finding myself heading into New York City when I was to be heading home - the complete opposite direction; finding myself in a 'bad' neighborhood of Philadelphia at night - I found out it was a bad neighborhood the following Saturday when the neighborhood was featured on the television show Cops; Once, in my quest to finding someone to tell me where I was so that Mark, (my DH) could help me get home, I had to have Mark hold while the person I was going to ask completed the transaction of his drug deal! Well, the scenarios go on. Needless to say, I truly have no sense of direction. To me, whatever direction my face is, that is north; whatever direction my butt is, that is south. Not a trusted compass at all!

This 'lost' adventure happened when Patrick was about 10 years old.  My family was visiting my mother in Northern Virginia;  I was driving with just myself and Patrick trying to find my mother's church to attend Sunday Mass. Somehow, someway, I ended up at one of the back gates of Marine Base Quantico in Northern Virginia. At this back gate were two Marine guards dressed in Marine Corp camouflage carrying A16 rifles.  They politely asked to see my identification and set me off in the right direction. The whole while, Patrick was taking it all in. I did not know until later the impression these Marines made on Patrick. He told Mark and I later that the uniform and the weapons were part of the intrigue, but the way the Marines carried themselves, the confidence and authority they exhibited had him at his earliest opportunity looking up the history of the Marine Corp. That's how it started.

At first, Mark and I thought perhaps it was a phase, Patrick's infatuation with the Marines. However, as Patrick grew, so did his determination. He watched television shows, movies, read books, did reports at school whenever possible on the US Marines. Patrick has learned of the Marine Corp history, weaponry, and credence. He never once faltered from his path of career choice. To say that Mark and I are proud is an understatement. We are incredibly proud. To say that I am a wee bit worried would be a fib. I am almost insanely worried. I have to continually remind myself that the Drill Instructors at Parris Island, South Carolina are there not only to train the recruits, but will do everything possible to keep them safe from harm.

Tomorrow,  he will begin his journey of becoming a Marine; he will be a Marine recruit. Tomorrow, I will begin a new journey as well; I will be the mother of a Marine Corp recruit. Lucky for Patrick, I will not be driving him to boot camp.