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Health & Fitness

Proud But Sad Military Mom...

My oldest daughter graduated from BMT today and I'm heartbroken I wasn't there...

Boy, has today been an emotional one...   I'm beyond words proud of my baby for graduating from the Air Force but just sick I wasn't there. 

For one, as I'm not from a military family nor that familiar with the practices, I didn't know how big of a deal it was.  For two, a month ago my husband had a health emergency and had to go to the ER in an ambulance with no insurance.   As you can imagine, the bill was in the thousands so there went any chance to attend the ceremonies. 
 
Especially heartbreaking is that during what's called "the coin ceremony", the airmen have to stand at attention until they are given their airman coin and "tapped out"/released by a family member, my daughter was one of only two in her group not to have anyone there for them!  :(  

We both thought we were fine with it but she was really upset watching all the others being greeted by their loved ones while she was all alone and I am just devastated to have let my girl down!  I have never not been there for my kids! 
 
As a single teen mom and homeschooling, attachment parent, I really grew up with her and we are extremely close.  I mean, I breast fed her for nearly 3 yrs, she co-slept with me for even longer and we haven't had the regular 6 hrs a day away from each other as is usual.  

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Therefore, these last 2 months have already been really difficult and now I feel so horrible that I wasn't there for her.  I spent all day crying and beating myself up...
 
So, what I'm wondering is- how can I give her a heros welcome when she returns home in July??  
 

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