Personal Updates

A Christmas Poem

December 2, 2019 /

I have been working on this poem for my son for Christmas. We just celebrated his one year anniversary of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, and it has been quite a journey!! In that year, we have had 24 days together and we probably won’t get to see him again until June. It’s not an easy life, and a big piece of my heart is in Okinawa, but I couldn’t be more proud!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!


The Seasons of a Marine and his Mom

We gathered up as a family for a farewell dinner,
A feast for Thanksgiving and celebration together.
Just a couple days later you walked out that door,
Your toothbrush and your wallet but not much more.

The very next morning we had our first “see you later”,
Then you boarded that plane with just a packet of paper.
From that moment forward you were known as recruit,
Forever more you will remember this time as boot.   

Our first Christmas went by without you here,
Then we set off fireworks to bring in a New Year. 
Those days you spent there seemed to go by so slow,
But through each letter we saw this new man grow.

Challenge after challenge and day after day,
The little boy you once were faded away. 
The final drive and push up that long dark hill,
To become a Marine took every ounce of your will. 

Valentine’s Day came without you in it,
Then you graduated boot and came home for a minute. 
Before we knew you were back out that door,
Your boots and gear packed and ready for more. 

The days at M.C.T. came by fast and they went,
Hearing your voice often and many messages sent.
A new set of orders changed your school and your plan,
But you took it in stride as your duty, as a man. 

Not at all the job you thought you would do,
I guess your Uncle Sam had different plans for you. 
A few months on the beach at Camp Pendleton,
Taught you the meaning of YAT YAS and 21-41.

Your 19th birthday came quick and it went,
A card in the mail and the first care package sent. 
It was tough that I couldn’t be there to hug you,
But I have comfort in knowing you love what you do.

A quick flight home for the 4th of July,
Seemed like just enough time for hello and goodbye. 
Another month went by, you were ready to roll,
Your training completed and eager to go. 

So glad you were able to come home again,
Before heading out on your orders from Great Uncle Sam. 
Those ten days flew by more than fast,
All of us wishing each moment would last. 

Another “see you later” with just you and me,
Holding back tears until I thought you wouldn’t see.
Flights that would bring you six thousand miles from home,
But I was so thankful not to some war-torn zone. 

Months go by that start out as days,
Moments and memories go by in a haze.
One month turned to two, then to three,
And November snuck up, how can that be?

Thanksgiving came and family gathered again,
We gave thanks for you and all servicemen. 
The snow is falling again, it’s a beautiful sight. 
I’ll pray for you again like I do every night. 

We put up the tree and your Marine ornament,
The lights and decorations, but your stocking gets sent. 
Hoping that 3 weeks is plenty of time,
To send off my love to your box from mine. 

Christmas never did come from a store,
But if I could buy it, I would choose a day or more. 
To spend it with you during this season of joy,
To have my Marine son, for a moment, just a boy. 


The journey of a Marine son and his Mom,
To be continued in seasons as our lives move on. 

Original work by Sherry Green 12/02/2019

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