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Day 6: Tommy is futzed up! But he'll survive.

Well it's official. Josh was sworn in to the U.S. Air Force today. He just got back from New Orleans and we will go over his contract in the morning to find out what his ass let them talk him into. I'll let you know ... or not ... whatever. Hee! So it's day six and Thursdays are layout day. Today was a bitch but hey, it's over right? Had three stories I had to get done between yesterday and this morning but damn it, I did it. I really need to stop procrastinating ... I think I'll start tomorrow.
I apologize. I am just fucking wiped this evening. Don't tell him but this thing with Josh has been wearing on my mind. I have no problem with him going in the military. I just didn't want him to get screwed so I've been worried about that. And then, there is my mom and sister who are dead set against it. They are sure he's gonna be patrolling Sadr City looking for bad guys with an M-16 strapped to his ass. They mean well but really? They should shut the fuck up and let him live his life. For the past three weeks, I have been bombarded by them wanting to know what I was going to do about this outrage ... this affront to their sensibilities. I really don't understand it. My dad was in the Army for 26 years. Flew helicopters in Vietnam during the war. I served for ten years. Served in the first Gulf War. I don't remember anyone shitting bricks about that. Okay, I know mom was worried sick the whole time dad was in 'Nam. I mean who wouldn't be. But I would say, looking at the big picture, the military has been damned good to us all!
And you know what? The boy is 19 years old. I can't hold his hand. I can't live his life for him. I can't ask him to live his life according to my wishes. He has to be a man and live his life the way he wants to. Make his own mistakes. Know the sweet taste of his victories. Learn what life is all about, grab it by the balls and shake every bit of essence he can out of it. HE was the one that came up with this. He decided that's what he wanted to do and he fucking did it. There was no prompting from me. I didn't guide him. I gave advice when he asked for it and warned him that the recruiters were going to try and get him to do what they wanted him to do. But he went down to New Orleans, got what he wanted and I'm fucking proud of him. It's done. It's over and there is no changing it or turning back now. He is on the verge of a great adventure and I couldn't be prouder. I'm sorry ... it's just been a stressful week and I needed to vent. Thanks for listening. Have a great Friday ya'll!