Jimmie has just finished his Air Force Basic Training and is ready to graduate on December 5, 2008. Abbie, Jamie and I are going to fly to San Antonio, Texas to see him. He has been gone for 7 weeks and I don't know who misses him more; mom or girlfriend !! We left on Wednesday Dec. 3rd and managed to get there, rent a car and get to the hotel. That was a major accomplishment on its own. I don't do well out of my comfort zone and being the responible adult on this trip was making me a little panicky. Driving in Texas is quite an experience on its own. By the second day I had made friends with Texas turnabouts. I got lost everywhere I went but these turn abouts were great for getting me back on track. We were never late and always got where we wanted to be so I'd say it was a success. Thursday morning....early... we headed out to the Base for the Airmans Run. The is a 1.5 mile run where you first get to see your son again. If you are lucky! 300 bald boys wearing exactly the same thing run past you down the street. They all look the same!! Later that day was the Coin Ceremony where they received their honors and got to wear their dress blues. Finally after that we got to hug and touch Jimmie !! (Hoping Jimmie never reads this) I swear it was as good as the first time I ever held him 19 years ago!! (and he had the same amount of hair both times!! ) We got to see his dorm, his shiny latrine and spend the rest of the day with him.
Of course we had to share him with Danny and Karie ( my ex-hubby and his wife) and we had a wonderful time. Next morning it was the official graduation ceremony. It was cold. It was VERY cold!! It was 32 degrees with a windchill of 22 degrees. Graduation was 2 hours long, outside and very windy. Of course we Californians didn't have anything more than sweatshirts to wear. Jimmies flight got to be Honor Gaurd so it was easy to pick him out of the hundreds of new Airmen standing....freezing out on the Parade ground. Here is a picture of my Airman standing in front of the plane he will be assigned to. Yeah Jimmie, we are so proud of you!!
