update on empty nesters...

Well, the inevitable has happened as our youngest child has chosen and sealed his fate by enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Last Thursday, after completeing the much complicated physical examination and crushing the required duck walk, on the first try, Sean raised his right hand for the swearing in ceremony. There was no pomp or circumstance, only a text message that read, "pretty sweet bonus, eh?". This was Sean's third time in front of the medical board and third time was the charm.

Stan and I have mixed feelings and both of us got so vaclempt we had to take a minute to compose ourselves during the first phone call announcing the news. Sean knew his alternative was to go away to college, with or without a Navy scholarship, but two more years of core classes was more than Sean could bare. He will ship out in April at the latest, February at the earliest.

He will complete basic in Illinois, somewhere on Lake Michigan, then he will spend 2 years in Charleston, South Carolina at the Navy nuclear school. He is in for 6 years, two for schooling and four for actual service time. We are looking forward to visits to Charleston. It's hard to believe that our duty as responsible parents is almost over...well, I guess 'responsible parent' is a stretch.