Whenever Justin gets an oh-so-fast---way too brief liberty to get back to Charlotte I always go up and check his room after he departs to see if there's any laundry to do, and to change the bed. Oh, yes...tears still well up. Guess it takes a while.
Kat is the oldest, but she is still at home, (though we don't see much of her!) - so Justin was really the first to leave the nest.
Posting some pics of what makes me miss him when I enter his Marine haven.
Papa Shaw's flag (grandfather)
Believe it or not, Justin's bed was originally an old rope bed that belonged to his great great grandmother! (yeah, it creaks )
CLOSET:
Graduating Class - Parris Island where it all began, where the title was earned with blood,sweat and tears.
So, yes, I have a lot of emotion when I step into this room. But it is all good. This place is here and ready anytime he needs to rest, escape and come back home to a family that is waiting with open arms, relishing the time with him, missing him and loving him. We are proud of him, We all respect him for what he faced and endured. We honor him, a USMC Marine. God bless him. God bring them all home.
This one remains back at LeJeune. It is a picture I framed and gave to him. A lone soldier sits in the wall...guarding from his post. It has the verse from Joshua 1:9. The one I told Justin to memorize and take with him in his heart wherever he walked.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
a personal post for my e-journal...
12 comments:
Well now, I hate to tell you this but the tears (at least for me) never stop. Mine are 32 and 35 and I every now and then I can hear one of them calling me. LOL....(tears) and I still cry every single time they come home and then leave. But that's a good thing I think. :)
Oh Julie, You are so sweet to let us see this Marine's room! It is all so special and I know your heart if filled to the brim with all kinds of emotions. I love the picture of the Marine at his guard post and the verse from the Bible! Sweet picture of you and your Justin too! Have a blessed day dear Friend! I hope and pray they will all be safe in their journeys. To think both of our Justin's will be there at the same time. Hugs to you!
I know the feeling mom..me too. Keep close to him in prayer..wishing all the best for him! ;D
Aw, Julie. I know you miss your son terribly. I will soon be going through empty nester syndrome soon. My son is getting married in June and then, my daughter is leaving for college in August. Granted, Joel and his new bride will not be living far away and Amber will be attending school close by, she has chosen to live in the dorm, so it'll be hard for me. It's not like having them home, you know, but it's there time.
You have a wonderfully blessed day!
Your friend in Christ,
Georgia
What a special special mom you are, Julie. And what a privilege you have allowed us by being so transparent with your heart...with Justin's room. Thank you for that. I'm so glad that your heart strength is in the Lord!
Hi Julie,
I enjoy your posts about your son, you are very proud of him. He is a great young man, defending his country and all of us. I say Thank you to him. It sounds like he is doing what he always wanted. I will pray for him and you. God bless you and your family.
The Sewdish Room
Oh Julie, I really like this post, You know, this Sunday I experienced something very similar. God has been calling my oldest daughter, so I enrolled her and my youngest girl at religious class, when We took them to the classroom, the Lady in charge offer to enrolled My Bambino ( 4 years old ) in the K-class. I was 100% sure He wouldn't stay, but to my surprise He did. And there we were, My Boricua and I, waiting for our little lambs to finish the 45 min. class. But my heart was half broken because it was the FIRST time my little boy was away from his Mama...
I'll be praying for your Son and as always for all our Service Men and Women, as well for our Veterans.
Blessings...
Great post. I remember the Paris Island graduation. Words just don't describe the feelings..
Oh Julie...I am completely teary eyed!! I know that same feeling!!! It is a feeling like no other and you just can't find anything to fill that void!! I just pray for our Justin's and that God will wrap them up and protect both of them as well as all the other serving!! I hope that our Justins do at some point to cross paths! Thank you for sharing!! I loved it!! Blessings from Georgia!!!
The Lord gave that Scripture to MY honey over 25 years ago and it has guided us throughout our life. Life is lived by the courageous!
Great post!
Oh Julie, I know how you feel all too well. I cry every time I step into Billy's room...his bed made up with his USMC blanket & pillows, his service Alpha's hanging in his closet, his cover on his desk...his USMC note pads, his American & USMC flags hanging on his wall. A picture of his buddies, a picture of the two of us....both Nikky & Billy are everywhere in our house, Nikky lives with her fiancé Mike, they will be getting married in September & Billy is well, in Okinawa ~ when it's really quiet and if you listen really hard you can hear them laughing, chatting...Thank you for sharing ~ God Bless & know that we know all too well how you feel and that you aren't alone....we are all her to support each other. They enlisted, we were drafted ~ Semper Fi Marine Mom!!!
How proud you must be of your Justin! And rightfully so!
Bless you!
Anne
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