Monday, April 25, 2011

Homeward Bound


This boy is on his way home. Late Friday night we got a text message from our son that he was a couple hours from getting on the plane. There are no words to really describe how happy we all are. Except for 2 weeks mid tour, he's been gone for nearly a year now. It's been a very rough deployment in the moutains in the eastern part of Afghanistan on the border of  Pakistan. We don't any us talk about it much. We've just been looking to that day when we hear that he'll be home safe and sound.

The other emotion I feel deeply is relief. His last mission was brutal. They lost 6 soldiers and had 15 medevaced out with injuries. He's a medic and I know how this effects him deep in the core of his being. But I also know how strong he is and that time heals when you have the strength to face your memories.

Sometimes, I feel shame at my happiness. My son is coming home. Other sons and daughters are not. I know this is a normal feeling. I know other mother's who have felt it. The feeling will pass.  

I feel enormous pride in this son of mine. He's chosen a path that I would not have chosen for him. But it is his path and he has walked it with pride doing a job that not many would do. He's done it well. He's good medic and a good soldier.

I feel blessed.

Mostly, I feel this almost overwhelming love.

31 comments:

Courtney Breul said...

Leann,
This is such good news! So very happy for you.

SueBeads said...

I'm so happy he'll be coming home. What an awful war - how terrible the many young men we have lost. He is a hero, LeAnn, and though you may feel guilty, you are so blessed!!!!

Kate said...

Lovely news!

Anonymous said...

I just stopped by and I am so glad I did!!!! I am so happy for you... I can not wait to read all about it... Thank you and God Bless HIM... please tell him... I appreciate everything he did for our country!

mairedodd said...

a huge sigh of relief... so many things can happen between the text that he sent and actually being on the plane... he has served his country and his peers in a way that he should be so proud of (and we are most grateful for)... what a homecoming this will be!

My Life Under the Bus said...

Oh LeAnn I feel for you - my best friends son is in Korea ( he has been there the last year) due to come home in May. His wife is here with 2 small babies - the gamut of emotions is unfathomable. Big Hugs to you and yours - I am so excited for you - You are blessed XO

Unknown said...

BIG hugs, LeAnn! I'm so thankful that after a year, your boy is coming home safely!!!!

Lorelei Eurto said...

awesome!!!!! happy happy news!

Laura Twiford said...

What wonderful news! I am so happy for you and your whole family! My nephew/Godchild is in the Navy and has been twice to the Persian Gulf for 7 months each time and I know the relief when he was out of harms way and on his way home. God Bless!

windrock studio said...

Hey LeAnn, I am so thrilled to hear this news and I am hugging you and your son tightly in my heart as you will hug him and not let go once he is back in your loving arms!
All the very best to your whole family, I see a big party happening soon!

Mari said...

Sue!! tengo una emoción grande por ti. Siento la emoción que toda madre sentiria. Entiendo perfectamente tus sentimientos. Me alegro muchisimo por ti. disfruta a tu bebe.

TesoriTrovati said...

Sweet blessings Miss LeAnn! I am so excited for you and your whole family to be welcoming home this boy, this man, this soldier with open arms. It is a tough road to take, no doubt, and the obvious love and pride that you have for him shines through. I am praying for his safe return to you!
This is definitely a 'something good' today!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

Judy said...

That is such wonderful news!! I am so happy for you and his new family. Your heart sounds as though it is ready to burst. I wish him a safe journey home.

Carol B said...

LeAnn,

How wonderful that he is on his way home. I am awed by how many of our young people willingly serve our country. You deserve to be extremely proud of him.

Bobbie said...

My heart swells reading the pride, relief, and love you express. Thank you for sharing this moment of joy with us.

Marian Hertzog said...

So happy for you and your family! Thank you and him for serving our country! Mine has yet to go... he is graduating from USNA this May and has chosen Marine Ground as his service selection. I am proud but scared to death for him! But I am thankful that they are willing!Prayers for your son's homecoming!

Unknown said...

Am I ever happy for you! The tears of relief and gratitude you have to be feeling! You are so Blessed and I am so very Happy for you! I think I can hear your heart bursting with joy to Texas..BIG huggs ox

Prairie Emporium said...

LeAnn, I am so happy for you! What great Easter news! Hope you get to see him soon.

somethingunique said...

Hi LeAnn,i'm sure you must be feeling every emotion one could feel all at the same time elated that you wonderful son is coming home,proud of what he has acomplished,sad for his fellow soldiers not returning i can't even begin to say i know how you feel i can only imagine and my heart goes out to you i am from Canada and i feel profound graditute for the men and women of the American armed forces fighting for our freedom as well as those around the globe i am very happy for you that he is coming home safe he is a very brave young man.

Gardanne said...

I'm so happy for you and your family LeAnn.

elisabeth said...

So happy he is headed home - please thank him for his service. And thank you, for having the courage and the love to support such a great son.

Mary Newton Designs said...

Please don't feel shame at your happiness. No Mother who has lost her son would want you to feel that way. I cried tears of joy for you when I read your news and I felt happiness that my son is safe and sound, at home.

stregata said...

What better news could you get at Easter! I am so happy for you!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful news LeAnn. Much rejoicing at ths time, I am sure.Many blessings to you and yours.

sharon said...

I am thrilled for you LeAnn, and your family!

Jen Judd said...

Yeah!! Wonderful news for you! Thank you for your continued support and love...he's not the only one who benefits. :)
Jen

Cindy said...

LeAnn - such wonderful news! I feel such relief and joy for you for all that your family is experiencing now. I can only imagine the pride and elation - it must be the best feeling. May he have a safe trip home!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

This is wonderful news! I am so happy for you and your family!

Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio said...

Yay! He is on his way… Oh, so much emotion in it all - He is coming home!!! All the best to you all… :)

Anonymous said...

LeAnn, it was so great to read your post. Really wonderful news! I can't even imagine what the past year has been like for you or your son. There is no shame in feeling blessed.

Barbara Lewis said...

LeAnn, I'm really happy for you and the rest of the family. It is a blessing to be sure!