Airman Samuel P. Wilwerding

Whew! What a week and a half! Thanks be to God, there were no illnesses, break-downs, accidents, or major blow-ups. We have so much to be thankful for considering we covered over 3,000 miles! Jonathan didn't get to go because of work, but Les and I, Lydia, Andrew, Grandma Litwiller, and even Tweetie! made the journey to see Sam graduate from AF Basic Military Training.

I got to meet another military mom from Dallas named Mendi whom I met on the MilitaryMoms.net forum. Can you believe it? When we lined up along the street to watch the airmen'’s run, WE WERE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM EACH OTHER!!!! Only the Sovereign of the Universe could have planned that. We were only eight people out of hundreds of others standing along an 1/8-of-a-mile stretch of street. I do believe we were the only ones holding signs, and I am almost positive that we both got onto the BMT graduation video! Oh, what fun it was!

I got a little panicked, though, when the retreat dismissed, and we couldn't find Sam. They had “borrowed” him from his regular flight in order to fill up one that was thinned out (from recycling, I suppose?). He saw us heading in the wrong direction and made his way to us. I was so relieved!

The weekend with Sam was very, very special. Just as everyone told me, he was totally different, but in a good way. I fully expected that we would be running him from one restaurant after another and seeking out thrill after thrill. He was just so calm. We visited the Alamo and took the River Walk boat ride, had a picnic in Basin Park, and drove around the King William Historic District. At that point, he said, "Well, I'm tired of being a tourist now. Let's go to the hotel." (I found myself wondering, Okay, where have they hidden my son? This is not my son!) He requested pizza, which we ordered delivered to the hotel room that evening, and ice cream, which he ate at least four times over the course of the weekend. But, that was it. Nothing really exotic, exciting, or expensive. (Thank goodness!)

What he did the most, though, was SLEEP. This is very odd for this child who has always been full of nervous energy. He fell asleep at least three times in the van going here and there, twice in the hotel, and once on the picnic table Sunday afternoon! (He even left a big slobber!) We took a picture each time he fell asleep just to prove it. I intend to make a special Air Force scrapbook for him and can't wait to put those photos in. We just let him sleep as much as he wanted to. I don't care how old he is, he will always be my baby, and I loved just watching him sleep.

He used to be so wild and crazy. There was no foolishness about him this time. He was sober, mature, yet pleasantly good natured. He told us funny stories, and we laughed a lot together, but it was real fun not foolishness. I still stand in awe of the man he is becoming. He has always been a handsome child; now he is beautiful inside and out. These fiery trials just helped to melt away the dross so that the silver could shine forth.

The saddest part, of course, was saying good-bye. We had to leave him off at the Reception Center according to the rules, and he had to walk back to the squadron alone. Dad swung the van around the block, though, for one last wave. It broke my heart to see his head was down for the first time that weekend. I was almost afraid he wouldn't see us, but finally he looked up and waved back. It still makes me cry to think of it.

I had a troubling dream the night before last. I dreamed that Sam and I were at the BMT graduation and got into an argument. He turned and walked off into the crowd. I went after him crying and calling out his name because I thought he was going back to his squadron where I wouldn't be able to see him again. Then, he approached me smiling and assured me that he would not do such a thing.

I know it was just a dream, but I still woke up crying. I just couldnÂ’t stop crying. Les was even getting a little concerned about me. I assured him later that this is just how I have to work through the emotions of this change in our lives. After we left him off in Peoria for basic training, it took me a full week to recover fully from the grief and stress. I'’m sure I'’ll feel better after I hear from him from tech school.

Sam left for Wichita Falls at about 3:30 am on Memorial Day. We went to visit our friends, the Shamburgers, in Coleman, Texas, the same day and spent the night there. So, it just so happened that we passed Sheppard AFB on Tuesday. It was very sad to know he was there and not be able to stop in for one last hug before the long trek home.

As for San Antonio, Texas, it was a pretty nice place when I first got there, and I really enjoyed the Alamo, but now I have no desire to ever go back. It's nothing personal; it's just the place where I had to leave Sam, and I am afraid that I will always associate it with that.

If it weren'’t for MilitaryMoms.net and "Surviving Air Force Basic Training Graduation"” (usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcejoin/a/afbasicgrad.htm), I would not have known what to expect or what to do. It was a comfort to know, also, that so many folks were praying for us.

"“For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall."” Ps. 18:29....
and survived air force basic training graduation!!!

--–Marcia Wilwerding