I am used to doing hard things. First of all, there’s that whole pregnancy and birthing process. I learned how to clean a dirty diaper, clean up barfed milk and hotdogs, bloody noses, cuts and bedrooms. I’ve had to guess who had the toy first; I’ve tried to decide who pushed who first and who took the last cookie. I’ve held a crying child because they were sick, was picked last on the playground, or a friend wasn’t quite as loyal as thought. I’ve seen all my children drive away by themselves as they try out their driver’s license, I’ve made many trips to the hospital as a result of car and motorcycle wrecks and made many, many calls to the insurance companies. I’ve been there to see my children pick life mates and see them walk down the aisle or wait nervously and anxiously at the end of the aisle. I’ve watched my children struggle with raising their own children and keeping my mouth shut.

Like I said, I’m a mother, I do hard things. Sunday, I had to hug my youngest child and tell him goodbye because he is doing a hard thing.

I think back and wonder – did I hold him enough, did I discipline him enough, did I teach him everything he’ll need to know – did I love him enough, does he know how much I love him? But, this I do know, I raised a fine, respectable, honest American boy to manhood. This is Devin’s decision and I am here to support it. I want it said here that he is not doing this to make any political statement or to support “George Bush’s” war. He is doing this for his love of his country. He is following many great men and women who have served their country honorably, including both of his grandfathers.

I’m a mother, I do hard things, I love my children so much that their dreams become my dreams.

I love you, Dude, be a good boy…….