One of Grandma's favorite sayings was "these are people who like to eat", a statement she would make as conversations would dwindle and food would be consumed with great gusto.
Another of her quotes, and one of my personal favorites, was "she said she wasn't hungry...and this is what she ate." She would never list what "she" ate..but she would always insinuate that "she" consumed enormous amounts of food.
Our 36 hour pass reminded me of Mable...a woman known far and wide for her talents, her wonderful sense of humor...and her love of good food.
The travel went well. John, Emily and I flew down late on Thursday, drove over 100 miles in the Georgia darkness and checked into our hotel shortly after midnight, tired and hungry...but ready for an exciting morning and our first look at our new Soldier.
Morning came about ten minutes after we hit our pillows. Exhuasted and supercharged, we hit the road.
Despite near constant nervousness and nonstop "what iffing", our entry onto Fort Benning went as smooth as the backside of a wet hippo. Straining our eyes at every figure seen in military garb, we gaped in awe at the enormous hope of being the first to see "him".
The first highlight of the day began long before the DS's arrival as I was blessed to meet some of the folks that have become rapid friends via the Fort Benning Facebook pages. We hugged, chatted and wondered at the commonality we shared with our boys as they are transformed, so far from home and family. How could we have so much in common coming from different backgrounds and lives?
We tarried there awaiting our introduction to the w/e's rules. Oh my goodness....not to be seen out of uniform in any way, shape or form. No alcohol, no driving, no leaving the immediate area. Pool time is ok as long as in PT clothing and restaurants are ok...but no bars.
Alrighty then.
Intensity rose as the moment we had all been waiting for drew near...time to see our soldiers.
Transfixed we filed out and began to walk towards the marching field where our men were set to display their newest "moves"...in the form of a March and Drill competition, one platoon against another. As we hiked there, we passed a large group of Soldiers in their camo clothes. We were forced by the desire to get to the bleachers promptly not to delay our first glance by so much as a second. Yet with the same intense desire to search every face, seeking recognition. Nope..not yet.
Filing onto the bleachers, conversations were hushed and no one looked at anyone, just eyes peeled and moving side to side along the far edge of the field, where many dozens of uniformed soldiers were lined up and waiting.
Which one?
Which one?
Do you see him yet?
Can you pick him out of the crowd?
The beat began as soldiers marched in perfect unison lined up on the field. Knowing that we sought the first platoon gave us hope as we only had 55 guys to study, rather than the 220 in the entire unit. Eyes peeled for recognition, we leaned in close and studied details in the faces before us.
Emily and I saw him at the same time, passing on excited whispers of hope and thrills.
He looks good! Did you see how good he looks? Wow....look at how good he looks!
I was snapping pictures as fast as I could without losing sight of the display in front of us. Hoping that there might be a useable shot or two to use in our displays and frames upon our return home.
Then it was over...and they marched away, leaving us in the dust as they filed away towards the barracks, out of sight over the distant hill. Numbly, we listened to the instructions to move the cars and wait on top of the hill for our beloved Soldier.
Families lined up and waiting quietly in the hot sun as one by one and sometimes in small groups young Soldiers came around the bend and up the long hill towards us. Whispers of hopeful recognition once again.
Time slowed to a crawl as we paced, sat, stood and wondered how long and when we would finally see and hold our long missed and loved young man.
Long awaited, a group of young Soldiers began an ascent...and then the long awaited eye contact.
"Hi Mom!" hugs, tears and love poured out in touch and contact.
Proud moments and love poured out. Meals together at favorite restaurants, former soldiers shaking hands and thanking Michael for his service. Movies and couches and pillows of down comfort enjoyed.
Long walks from Georgia to Alabama across the Chattahoochee River front.
And every possible calorie consumed with gusto and wild abandon.
Hours passed like minutes as we shared, cared, laughed and stared. How could this be over so very quickly?
But it was.
Georgia nightfall on a clear Saturday night. Back at base, walking along the darkened street, filling the last moments time with tears and hanging on. And we let him go back down that long hill towards the barracks.
Five more weeks we wait, til we travel again. Praying for his safety in the intense last weeks, the culmination of 14 weeks of training.
And like Mable said...he said he wasn't hungry...and this is what he ate.....
The long list consumed and absorbed.
Love displayed in every bite.
Grandma Mable would have been proud.
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