I have been a member of Aldeer a long time but have rearly ever post. This morning I'm sitting in my stand relaying in my mind the conversation I had with my stepson that I had around 3 this morning. He is 19 and in the Army. He is stationed at Fort Wainwright Fairbanks AK. This week he got sent to Fort Irwin CA. For training. He was on gaurd duty this morning and had a phone so he called me. We talked about 30 minutes and talked about things he seen and done. He was my hunting buddy, And I miss him like crazy. Before he signed up we talked and he said it was something he just had to do. What got me this morning was he told me to go hunting since I was up and get one for him. He also said he had no idea how much he misses home. How has others on here handled a child being away emotionally. Me and his mom are struggling. We are so proud of him but it's tough as anything ive had to deal with. Anyone's thoughts are appreciated.

We appreciate his service to our country

Prayers sent crawfish! Thank you and your family for his service.

If your stepson called to talk to you, then you did a good jobs helping to raise him.

He'll be home before you and it sounds like ya'll got a good relationship.

Thanks all for the kind words. He a fine young man never gave us a minutes trouble. He's been with me since he was 3 so here as close to me as any child could be.

It's not easy when one of our kids leaves home. "Giving them up" is just part of the process, and (the good news) is that it does get better as time goes on.

You need to rest easy in the knowledge that you did well man. The pain will go away with time but the love should never dim. Hang in there and it get better. Thank you guys for raising your son right and tell your son thank you for his service.

I know how you feel kinda when my hunting buddy went off to college, it was the first time that I could remember being away form him that much , he was playing ball and couldn't make it at all to gator hunt. Luckily he had some off time for deer season. I think that was the least fishing and hunting I ve ever done. Thanks for his service you've done well

Sounds like to me you raised a boy into a good man. I'm sure he has a level head and will make good decisions and you will see him soon. You should be proud and I know you are. We appreciate the sacrifices he is making right now.

Crawfish, you ARE his Daddy if you've been raising him since he was 3 and it's obvious he feels the same way. Congrats to a job well-done. My oldest has a daddy like you but y'all are rare.

Sounds like you did well, your son loves you. Congrats.

Men aren't supposed to live with their parents until they're 30 like some do now. You did a good job raising your son to be a man and that's what he is now. It ain't easy but you should be very proud.

I dread that time when mine get older. Take comfort you have that kind of relationship with him.

Crawfish after reading your post I took my little guy hunting for the first time (he is only 2.5 yr old) he has been begging to go hunting with daddy all year and I have told him no all year and promised that i would take him one day. Well after reading your post i said he may make noise and not be still (which was the case) but by god I'm taking that little feller hunting. We had a blast, even though I knew chances of bagging a buck was slim, he tried his best to be quiet and still. He has been talking about it ever since and ready to go back.