I find myself wondering if I'm the only mother in the world to look at their children and wish I could put them in a bubble and not let them go out into the world and experience it for themselves. Of course I know I'm not the only one. I think it's a mother's instinct to protect their children at all costs but I come to a realization this weekend that my boys were going to do what they wanted with their life and it didn't matter what I said.
I always encouraged them to be what made them happy. That a job was a job but if you loved what you did it could be a great life. We come from a small town and most of the people around here are teachers or factory workers. I'm not saying factory work is bad, my husband works at a factory. I just don't want them to work and work and have nothing to show for it.
When my oldest son was young he had this idea that he was going to be a doctor. I was thrilled. Well for years, twelve of them, he has focused on it. But this year he had decided that he wants to join the Marines. I felt as if my heart fell to the ground. I wasn't mad at him for wanting to do something he felt was right. I was upset because I know what happens to soldiers. So I ask myself for days, can I handle both of my sons going into combat? I don't know. All I do is think the worst. Look what happened to other families.
My youngest son, he has said since he was four he would be a soldier. I keep telling myself it's a faze but if he big brother joins, there's no doubt he will too.
I guess I'm being selfish because they are my children. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has sit and pondered on what would happen or have faith that nothing will happen at all. I believe that's all I can do. I will trust that God knows what's best.
And for the ones whose mouths are hanging open at my ramblings, I believe what our soldiers do is wonderful and I thank each of them for it. My dad was in the military, my uncles, cousins,niece, nephew and my father-in-law.
If my children do decide a career in the military is what they want, I will stand beside of them with pride and honor because that's what a mother does. They support their children even if it makes them cry.