My son's name is Brandon W. Smith. The last I heard he was in the Marine Reserves out of Spokane, WA. I am very proud of my son. He wanted to join the Marines just out of high school, but his father wouldn't let him. He later joined as was his wish.

I don't see my son and am not sure what he looks like today. You see, my youngest son committed suicide when Brandon was just 18 and he was 16. When Ashton died, I lost Brandon too. However, he contacted me just before he was to leave to go to boot camp in 2006. I was so proud of him. I wrote him a couple times a week. I heard back from him a couple of times. He was very busy and became sick during his training in boot camp. Later he told me I wrote him 15 letters. I just thought that was what Mom's were supposed to do. I just loved him. I wanted him to stay encouraged and focused on the job he had to get done. Little did I know how well he did his job.

Later, I was able to fly down for his graduation from boot camp in San Diego. When I saw him, I couldn't believe my eyes. Such a proud moment and he looked so awesome. There were three young men who came up to me during the dinner hour and told me that if it wasn't for Brandon, they wouldn't have graduated. I was thrilled. I really hadn't heard very much from Brandon and didn't know this new man standing so straight in front of me. Each soldier told me about being so sick they were coughing up blood. They said that Brandon was relentless. Even though they felt he was sicker than they were, he would wake them up, say "come-on, get up, just for an hour, we'll work out just for an hour." Then it became "just two hours, come-on, just one more pushup. You can do it!" I thought, "That's my boy!"

Since that time, I've only heard from him a couple of times. I think since losing his brother he doesn't know quite what to do with me.

I just want all you young soldiers, and not-so-young soldiers, to know that your mom is always thinking of you. Whether you want her to or not, your mom worries, thinks, cares, prays, and cries for her children.

I have a friend in the town where he is living that I send his birthday and Christmas presents to. I send all my mail to him through her because I don't know where he lives. He doesn't call but has kept his phone number the same so I get to hear his voice once-in-a-while say, "You've reached Brandon Smith, United States Marine Corps. Leave a message. Thank you." I'll leave a message about wondering what he is doing, missing him, and hoping he's doing well, or invite him to Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's. I don't hear back but I'm a mom...I just keep calling. I'm glad he has left that phone number open to me.

I don't want anyone to think badly of him. You see, I understand, at least I think I do. Losing his brother was too much. It was always just the three of us. We would travel all over the US together. Those boys would get me laughing so hard when I was driving, I'd have to pull over. And then I couldn't BELIEVE what we were laughing about. We'd just giggle our way down the road. I miss him.

Except at graduation, I haven't spent time with him for more than an hour in about eight years now. I keep in touch with him any way I can, and maybe this is just one other way to tell him how much I love him.

You see, my son, whether he knows or accepts it or not, is the very essence of my life. If there was anything I could do or say to make his life easier, I would do it in a heartbeat. The Marine Corps gave him direction and dignity. It has instilled a strength that was missing and hopefully a drive to keep going, and a stubbornness to get it done. I know, from what little I saw, he is a much better man for being a Marine.

So, to all you parents out there, treasure your sons and daughters. They are SPECIAL. Never let pride or hurt get in the way of staying as close as you can. Brandon knows his mom is a stubborn old cuss, and will never give up on him or stop trying to stay in contact with him. NEVER! Cherish the time. Make each second count for something. Make your time together special and enjoy the moments. They are gone so quickly and many never come again.

A Mother's Love is NEVER Silent. Your Mom will be watching and waiting with loving arms open wide and joy in her heart when she sees you again. Mom's are like that.

Like It:

Share It:

• Facebook
• Twitter