I know exactly what you are talking about! There are thousands of other moms that know how you feel too. When my son left for bootcamp (it was Marine bootcamp which lasts 12 weeks) it was so hard and I felt like part of me was gone--I was so emotional and it really did not stop until I got that first letter that said that he had arrived and was doing okay and had his address on it. By the time he finished boot camp, I think I knew exactly when the mailman would arrive and he knew me by name!
I also joined a Marine support board--actually it had a Recruit Parents section and we all shared stories and kept in touch on that board--when one received a letter and shared the info we all felt like we got a letter, ect. Noone else that has not had a child leave for bootcamp knows or understands what it does to your heart and soul as a mom. It is so difficult to send your child off like that, but the end results are so worth it! The bootcamp graduation is just about the greatest event I ever attended in my oldest son's life. The pride and respect and awe that you will feel when you see your son in uniform for the first time will make what you are feeling now totally worth it. Hang in there--write a lot of letters of support to your son while he's there--the 8 weeks will come and go before you know it!
