A Mother's Pride

I will never ever forget the first time I laid eyes on my son, Evan. I knew in that very instant that this was a love like no other. He was a tiny thing, beautiful, and I never dreamed for a second that he would become a soldier one day. My life has been full because of my Evan. From the very start he had mischief in his eyes. He was our Prince Charles, and I say "our" because it definitely took a whole village. He was only three months old his first Halloween and five adults carried him around the neighborhood in his little tiger suit to show him off. I don't believe that for the first two years that he was ever put down. He brought so much joy and laughter to all of us. Entertainment is putting it mildly, and adventure like no other.  He was called Fred by my Dad, and to this day he can get his way with my Mom with just a look. My Brother and Sister have loved him like he was their own. His younger sister thinks he hung the moon, at least when he was not trying to hang her from some zip line device.  I thought I was proud of him the day he graduated College, especially since Evan REALLY enjoyed college. I have been a happy spectator watching him fall in love and I was beaming with pride as he watched his Bride walk down the aisle. I never saw this coming...  when he first told me he was joining the Army I was horrified, doesn't he realize we are at war?  I would spend nights laying awake trying to think of ways to convince him not to do this, but anyone that knows my Evan, knows that you don't tell him what to do.  The day he left for basic was very hard for me;  I wanted, as all Mothers do, to protect and to make life easy. I finally realized that this precious young man is not mine, he is not ours. He is God's.  I know God has a plan and I know Evan will do great things. I know the Army will also never be the same.....   he is my son, he is my Hero.  God's Speed my precious boy.