USNA I-Day Countdown

Colleges & Universities Service Academy Parents
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<p>so true… and they say it “flies by”… but I think that comment is the one heard from the parents and not from the Mids…</p>

<p>with all due respect-
it might help to slow things down a bit and take it one day at a time-
get through I day
get through week 1
make it from sunday to sunday
make it to PPW
*make it to the 6 week grades posting
make it to 12 week marking cycle
make it to the end of the first semester
make it to the end of the second semester
make it through summer assignments
repeat from * three more times
pray.</p>

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<p>Sitting here thinking about how “proud” isn’t a large enough word for all those who sat watching their child graduate USNA today. When you consider the feelings of having them make it there in the first place, out of all those truly wonderful kids out there that apply… </p>

<p>Congrats to all the Grads! They did look especially sharp today. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Go get 'em Class of 2011!!</p>

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<p>M2L-</p>

<p>I hear ya’ about the four years. Amazing! So much will change and I hope I get enough pics to scrapbook it (like that won’t happen! Got new pics to send you, too!). </p>

<p>Jamzmom-</p>

<p>You are the bomb! Thank you for everything! I feel like we’re getting towards the front of the line of a BIG rollercoaster. And I’m just along for the wild ride! I’ll hang on tight!</p>

<p>Navy2010- </p>

<p>I’d love to slow things down, however, my first child is leaving. I appreciate these countdowns, because after I read them, I look at my son and plan how to make the most of the day with him (when he’s not in school, studying, flying, working, or hanging out with his brother and friends). No, I’m not cloying or clinging to him. We (2011 parents on this thread) are trying to get through one day at a time and help each other, hence the countdown, and I think we’re doing okay.</p>

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<p>Nurseypoo… Are ya packing yet?</p>

<p>31 days guys and gals! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!</p>

<p>And if you all watched USNA Commencement on CNN it was soooo very inspiring!</p>

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<p>No, not yet. However, I have made my list and stuff. I’m REALLY trying to pack lite this time.</p>

<p>How 'bout you?</p>

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<p>nurseypoo… you misunderstood- fully understand the countdown to I-Day…
and letting go is terribly difficult…and having support is absolutely essential.</p>

<p>my comment was not to the countdown to I-Day, but rather the “4 years to Commencement 2011.”
I guess my pragmatic side is showing again- </p>

<p>What I was trying to convey is that the countdown to I-Day is just the start… so very much for these young men and women to get through… and sometimes the goal of “commencement” is just too far out of reach for most just now…so while it may have been casually posted, the reality can be very different-and that, IMO, is harder for parents to sometimes appreciate. </p>

<p>In supporting your new plebe, giving them smaller targets can be helpful-
there are kids (and parents) that can look at the “long range goal” with commencement 4 years hence as clear as day-
while others struggle on a daily basis-</p>

<p>some will even have to set a goal of making it hour-to-hour…
or till noon- and - taps…
or sunday-to-sunday…
and sadly, some will not make it.<br>
and they will have to go home and face a family that perhaps were counting down to their commissioning day 4 years hence.</p>

<p>I dare to say that this is one of the things that frustrate many Mids… who feel parents just don’t understand the daily struggles…some will fly or skate through- while others struggle enormously- none will come out the other end unscathed- most all who survive will come out stronger…parents included.</p>

<p>I-Day is just the start- and exciting one I grant you, and one to be very, very proud of and to celebrate- but the start nevertheless of a very long journey that, hopefully, will end at commencement for all of them-</p>

<p>As for the rest- take it as it comes, celebrate each victory- as small as they might be- </p>

<p>congrats to the Class of 2011 - I-Day will be here way too fast, and while the days of plebe summer will drag, the weeks will fly by…</p>

<p>enjoy them all!</p>

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<p>thought I would pass along this reference to help pass away the time…</p>

<p>“USNA Parent’s Survival Guide”…
<a href=“http://www.usna-parents.org/resources/index.htm[/url]”>http://www.usna-parents.org/resources/index.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Go Navy!</p>

188

<p>The Lola and I have been on a vacation on Hilton Head the past few days so I am again behind on the countdown. </p>

<p>I do believe we are at 27 days. CANNOT BELIEVE IT!</p>

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<p>Well, you’re here now and that’s what counts!!</p>

<p>So, STOP COUNTING!! Please!! Make it all stop, just for a little while.</p>

<p>I know, I know.</p>

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<p>Ah M2L, you’ve been in our neck of the woods! Good time for HHI this time of year - not too hot & not yet too crowded. (We live north of the Broad River, so it’s usually a little more laid back here - but our damaged bridge has put us in league w/ HHI for traffic!). Were you near Coligne Beach where the swimmer was lost? </p>

<p>Hope you had a great time together - those memories will get you thru Plebe Summer!</p>

191

<p>Hi BZ… we were at Port Royal Plantation. Weather was PERFECT!!! And it was so nice to spend a few days doing nothing together! Now back in the ATL and it is HOT HOT HOT, air not moving, and the smoke from the month-old fires in the south Georgia swamps is still lingering. IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A PRETTY SUMMER IN ATL!</p>

<p>Sorry NurseyPoo… 26 days…</p>

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<p>All you Mom’s keep one eye on the Dad’s on I Day and R Day—Speaking for myself (and one other Dad I know of) the hardest moment was walking back into the hotel room at the end of the day…</p>

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<p>I keep wondering how my husband is so okay with this and I blubber at the drop of a hat. Maybe it’s just lying beneath waiting to surface (sounds like a navy term, there).</p>

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<p>SOOOO true!</p>

<p>True story: attended I-Day (along with 24 other members of our party)- equipped with lots of tissues for everyone…
rushed back to post that I had “survived the day” without a tear— all those tissues unused! Dear JM posted “liar liar pants of fire”… but I replied that I did really well - while dear dad broke down like a baby!</p>

<p>Then we go to PPW- and the Supe’s meeting with the parents in Alumni Hall- where they have those huge video screens… and they are in the midst of a slide show presentation from pics taken on I-Day… when “what to my wondering eyes do appear”… but my tear-streaked face- mascarra running everywhere- a huge wad of tissues at eye level…nose redder than rudolph’s… </p>

<p>what can i say? </p>

<p>bring tissues. You are all gonna need them! :)</p>

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<p>23 days… now I am thinking of stopping the clock nurseypoo :(</p>

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<p>When is “I-DAY” for AFA USMA USCGA and MMA?? I would have thought someone would have posted that… or is is the same as USNA?</p>

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<p>At USMA it is called “R-day” (Reception Day) and this year it is July 2nd, which is my birthday too. My son is going alone so I’ll be online looking at the R-day pictures as fast as they can post them, hoping for a glimpse of him. :)</p>

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<p>At AFA they report on the 28th. Many of them, mine included, will go it alone on a flight out on the 27th and be met at the airport by their Bed and Breakfast host. In D’s case the B&B host is a couple both of whom graduated from AFA many years ago. They will take her (and others? Maybe) home from the airport and feed them dinner and give them a place to sleep then feed them a nice breakfast and then drive them on to AFA in the morning.</p>

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<p>Well… it seems we are all getting down to the final days :(</p>

<p>and I believe it is now 22 days til i-Day… Did I say 22? 3 weeks plus a day. Makes me sad.</p>

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<p>Don’t be sad, M2L - What could be better than seeing your child achieve her dream??</p>

<p>As our congressman’s wife told me, “You’ll cry when they leave, but not as much as you would if they stayed!”.</p>

<p>You wouldn’t really want it any other way, would you??
Hey, but believe me, I TRULY feel your pain! Last summer I was right there too w/ our first-born leaving. I know it’s tough (like losing your best friend!). Hang in there! (Have you doubled-up on the hugs yet?).</p>