Saturday, July 24, 2010

Homesickness has set in!!

So I got a call from Dillon's counselor the other day. I was in with a client so wasn't able to take the call. When I called back, Dillon was no longer in her office but she shared with me that he is wanting to come home. I pretty much expected that this might happen. She told me that this does happen a lot within the first 2 weeks. These boys are being pushed to the limit both physically and emotionally. They are up at 5:00a.m. 7 days a week and are doing physical activity for most of the day.
So, needless to say, I'm sure that Dillon is exhausted. I'm sure his body aches as he is being pushed to his full limit. The counselor said that he is being respectful, but he is requesting to come home.
As a parent, it hurts to know that your child is upset, hurting, homesick, and is begging to come home. I also know that this is going to be the best thing for Dillon. The confidence he will gain from this program is priceless. So, I told the counselor,"NO" he can't come home. He has behaved himself into this situation, and he will have to behave himself out of it.
Both Kyle and myself wrote him letters that we e-mailed to his counselor hoping that our words would help change his mind. Mine pushing him to dig deep and stick it out, and Kyle letting him know how proud he is and giving him words of encouragement.
Chief Weiss (his conselor) delivered the news and the letters to Dillon, and then I got another call yesterday. I wasn't able to answer the phone, so he called his Dad. Patrick spoke with Dillon, and he still is wanting to come home. Patrick encouraged him to tough it out, and so far there hasn't been any calls today.
I am nervous for Dillon. I hope that he can dig deep and find his inner strength. Quitting is never something that one can be proud of. I know, I've been a quitter before and if I can help it, I won't let Dillon quit.
I have been speaking with a cadet from the past class and his mother. We have been e-mailing back and forth after I found their information posted on the GYA bulletin board.
They have been very so great in helping me to understand the process and to not second guess myself. The former cadet's name is Tim Stockton and he shared with me that he also wanted to quit in the beginning. He did make it to the end and graduated the program in June. He said that it was the best thing that ever happened to him, and if he had the chance, he would do it all over again.
Those words made me feel so good. He is going to write to Dillon and I'm hoping that his words will encourage Dillon somehow and keep him on the right path.
For now, all we can do is write and encourage Dillon. So thank you to all of you who have been sending letters. I'm sure that Dillon finds comfort in your words.
He doesn't get to call home until next weekend, but I will be sure to let you know how he is doing as soon as I hear from him.
I continue to have a great hope in Dillon and in his future.

1 comment:

  1. Good for you Mary to hold your ground and finding other parents and their kids that have experienced this. Dillon will get over this first hump. And he'll look back and be grateful that his support group is cheering him on.

    First of all, he is testing the waters to see if there is a way out. Second, he needs to be assured that his support group won't let him down and to be validated for his feelings.

    I'll send another greeting to Dillon this week in the meantime you hang strong. Life always works out the way it's suppose to be.

    Dillon is an inspiration to us all.

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