My Hero. My Sailor, My Son.
#oneofthegoodones |
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About Me.....
I feel like I should warn you. I'm a talker and I'm a writer. Those two mixed together often create either a mess or magic. I'm rooting for magic! I'm an energy person. I'm drawn to the moon and get lost in the stars. It's who I am, a dreamer. I don't apologize for it anymore. I used to make excuses, but I have learned it's okay to get lost in what brings you joy.
SO. Where to start.
I guess I will start with our first day. March 29th, 2021 our son left for boot camp. He had a tough senior year, as most kids graduating in 2020 did. He always knew he wanted to join the military, and by junior year in high school he had narrowed his choice down to the United States Navy. He is a welder, and it just made sense. Joining the military at this time was not for the faint of heart. Quarantines, face masks, the dreaded ring of fire. And worst of all....his "team" couldn't attend his graduation. It was hard....but we are all here....still standing...and stronger than ever.
Hunter left for an overseas location almost two months ago. Ouch. Possibly for four years. Vomit. But seriously, I'm excited and happy for him. I know I can both miss him terribly and be his biggest cheerleader at the same time. I know what it feels like for my heart to sore and crash at the exact same moment. I get most annoyed when people choose to remind me that this is part of military life. (No, really!?!?) Or, they offer support in a way which makes them sound superior or more mature. "We just have to be happy for them. This is how life is supposed to be. Your children are supposed to leave the nest." Wow!!! Just Wow! I seriously have very little tolerance for that, mostly, because I don't believe them. My heart physically hurts. I hate that there is zero chance he will just stop by. I hate that I can't hug him. I hate that when we are constantly waiting for the very beginning or very end of each other's days to say "I love you." Hunter is doing well. He loves it there. He misses home. We miss him.
To add to our time of transition, our youngest also flew from the nest this year. She is busy attending college in
Ohio and playing lacrosse. We also recently sold the home we raised our children in and are begrudgingly commuting over an hour each way to work. Plenty of positives in our new location but numerous ties to our previous hometown make it all bittersweet.
Thanksgiving was tolerable....Christmas can only hope to be the same. Our children were kind enough to decorate our Christmas tree before he left, because they knew I needed him to be there for that. Firsts are hard....transitions are hard...this is hard.
I work full-time in law enforcement and have owned a yoga studio-(my dream) since 2013. I have spent years being trained in both fields regarding the importance of self-care. I have a strong background in understanding the importance of and implementation of wellness programs.
Now an empty nester, I have had plenty of time to think and let my mind wander. The commute has offered me plenty of time to cry, then laugh, and then cry again. I have discovered that our son's dedication to the ole' Red, White and Blue, brings with it a strong mixture of light and dark. My emotions have never been so conflicted. I know I am not alone, Facebook Navy Mom Support Groups have proven that time and time again. I decided I wanted to do my part- to give back- to help others get through this hard to explain time. And I have to be honest, I'm super excited about this new part of this military adventure!
Self-care is not selfish. It's necessary. It's important to make yourself a priority. My hope is that here you will find the support you need to commit to the goal of You. It's important to figure out what you need, which is often way different than what you want. It's about acts of kindness towards yourself. It's about getting rid of the "I don't have time" excuse. We all have time. Self-care is not about the a specific amount of time spent, it's about the attitude you have towards yourself.
I will be offering online movement classes (January 2022) which incorporate traditional yoga postures in a westernized style. As I become more "seasoned" in life I have learned that movement is a necessity. Focus on body awareness. mobility, and maintaining/building strength is important if we want to enjoy the years to come.
You don't have to already be in "great shape" to participate. I offer several different levels of classes. All classes are geared towards military moms though. Each class offers something to think about- incorporate into your daily routine, or maybe even change. Each class offers you the chance to remember to be grateful for your own breath.
We are all in this together.
But, at the end of the day, this is about you.
Your journey...as a military mom.
See you soon-
ellen
SO. Where to start.
I guess I will start with our first day. March 29th, 2021 our son left for boot camp. He had a tough senior year, as most kids graduating in 2020 did. He always knew he wanted to join the military, and by junior year in high school he had narrowed his choice down to the United States Navy. He is a welder, and it just made sense. Joining the military at this time was not for the faint of heart. Quarantines, face masks, the dreaded ring of fire. And worst of all....his "team" couldn't attend his graduation. It was hard....but we are all here....still standing...and stronger than ever.
Hunter left for an overseas location almost two months ago. Ouch. Possibly for four years. Vomit. But seriously, I'm excited and happy for him. I know I can both miss him terribly and be his biggest cheerleader at the same time. I know what it feels like for my heart to sore and crash at the exact same moment. I get most annoyed when people choose to remind me that this is part of military life. (No, really!?!?) Or, they offer support in a way which makes them sound superior or more mature. "We just have to be happy for them. This is how life is supposed to be. Your children are supposed to leave the nest." Wow!!! Just Wow! I seriously have very little tolerance for that, mostly, because I don't believe them. My heart physically hurts. I hate that there is zero chance he will just stop by. I hate that I can't hug him. I hate that when we are constantly waiting for the very beginning or very end of each other's days to say "I love you." Hunter is doing well. He loves it there. He misses home. We miss him.
To add to our time of transition, our youngest also flew from the nest this year. She is busy attending college in
Ohio and playing lacrosse. We also recently sold the home we raised our children in and are begrudgingly commuting over an hour each way to work. Plenty of positives in our new location but numerous ties to our previous hometown make it all bittersweet.
Thanksgiving was tolerable....Christmas can only hope to be the same. Our children were kind enough to decorate our Christmas tree before he left, because they knew I needed him to be there for that. Firsts are hard....transitions are hard...this is hard.
I work full-time in law enforcement and have owned a yoga studio-(my dream) since 2013. I have spent years being trained in both fields regarding the importance of self-care. I have a strong background in understanding the importance of and implementation of wellness programs.
Now an empty nester, I have had plenty of time to think and let my mind wander. The commute has offered me plenty of time to cry, then laugh, and then cry again. I have discovered that our son's dedication to the ole' Red, White and Blue, brings with it a strong mixture of light and dark. My emotions have never been so conflicted. I know I am not alone, Facebook Navy Mom Support Groups have proven that time and time again. I decided I wanted to do my part- to give back- to help others get through this hard to explain time. And I have to be honest, I'm super excited about this new part of this military adventure!
Self-care is not selfish. It's necessary. It's important to make yourself a priority. My hope is that here you will find the support you need to commit to the goal of You. It's important to figure out what you need, which is often way different than what you want. It's about acts of kindness towards yourself. It's about getting rid of the "I don't have time" excuse. We all have time. Self-care is not about the a specific amount of time spent, it's about the attitude you have towards yourself.
I will be offering online movement classes (January 2022) which incorporate traditional yoga postures in a westernized style. As I become more "seasoned" in life I have learned that movement is a necessity. Focus on body awareness. mobility, and maintaining/building strength is important if we want to enjoy the years to come.
You don't have to already be in "great shape" to participate. I offer several different levels of classes. All classes are geared towards military moms though. Each class offers something to think about- incorporate into your daily routine, or maybe even change. Each class offers you the chance to remember to be grateful for your own breath.
We are all in this together.
But, at the end of the day, this is about you.
Your journey...as a military mom.
See you soon-
ellen