It's Been Too Long

Wow, I can't believe it has been over two years since I last updated my blog - which is very ironic since at the present moment Dominic is home on a twenty day leave. While thinking of a dear friend, I was reminded of my blog! I look back on my previous post and think how distraught I felt at the time. Kind of makes me laugh to think how trivial in hindsight my worries were - but at the time they were very real! I just read thru each post and cried and laughed and it seems as if it were only yesterday I was living them. I feel blessed that everything worked out for the best and I pray and feel for all those who were not as fortunate as myself. I never take one day for granted. Since my last post, my son is doing wonderful and he is still a firefighter in Sigonella, Sicily. He has worked hard, continuing to go to classes and courses and has gained many certificates such as Hazmat, Confined Spaces, DOD certified and others that I am just to tired to think of! Dominic loves working as a firefighter and as of present has taken the Philadelphia Firefighter Exam (when he was home on leave in December) and has been called to join their ranks! Sad to say though, be tried to get an early out from the navy, but was denied and must continue til January when his service is thru! He luckily was able to defer to the next class - hoping it all works out! He would like to continue his career in fire fighting - which makes us happy! He has enjoyed his time to its fullest - living in Europe - on base and off - meeting people and soaking up the Italian culture. Joining the navy has surely paid off for Dominic - honestly never thought I would have said that back when I started this blog! Time seems to heal all wounds - thank God! Not that I had wounds - but just a broken heart haha! Since Dominic's stay in Sicily, for the last three years - I have been out to visit him twice!!!! Most exciting time of my life!!!! The first time I went out with my husband - vacation of a lifetime! We met Dominic in Rome - spent 12 wonderful days traveling thru Italia then flew to Sicilia for 10 more days! Dom was able to be our tour guide in Sicilia and showed us the best time! My second trip to Europe, I flew to Sicilia with my niece for 12 wonderful days! We had a grand time! Again Domenico was the perfect host!!! Dominic has changed so much - matured into a fine young man - who even speaks the language now haha! So cool to listen to him converse with the Italians!!!!!!!! My oldest son also went out to visit Domenico in Sicilia with his fiancé - where they decided to ELOPE so that Dominic could be his best man! Memories that the two of them - and Freddy's new wife haha - will always share!!! Which brings us to the present day! Like I said Domenico is home on a 20 day furlough and we are having the visit of a lifetime! Many of his other visits were always so short we had to cram everything in and I was always trying to hog all the time hahAH! Now he has plenty of days here, so his time can be spread around hahah! Our family and friends are great and make Dominic feel so welcome! He is enjoying every minute and we are all looking forward to his final return in January 2014!!!!! I feel blessed!

Happy Birthday Son

Wishing more than anything that Dominic could have been home for his birthday so we could have all went out for his birthday dinner and to be able to give him a birthday hug! But more than anything I wish Dom could have been home for his birthday because I know being home with his family and friends for his 22nd would have been his birthday wish!

Hard To Believe

Wow! So wild to think it has been exactly one year since i have added an entry! Time flies! After re-reading my past entries i find it hard to believe the changes that have taken place with our son, the sailorman!!! Hahahhah. Dominic finished up his "A" school in Meridian, Mississippi and came home for twenty days! It was awesome - he got to visit the whole family, had lots of parties and spent plenty of time at the seashore!!!! We were all so happy to be together spending time with family and friends! Great is the only word that keeps turning over in my mind!!!!

He then was ordered to head over to Sicily (Sigonella) for a three year land tour. Even though Dom was heading overseas, we ironically felt blessed with his orders! When he arrived he worked out of dispatch in the Fire tower on base. Dom did that for a few months and then was asked if he was interested in a 'pilot type' program to become a certified firefighter and work in the firehouse! Of course he was psyched and gladly signed on, not only because he had oftn wondered about becoming a firefighter, like his father, but also he was getting very bored in the firetower doing dispatch. Up until this point only officers E4 and up (navy) were sent to the Fire Academy - but they were giving Dominic the opportunity to see if a non-officer would be able to complete the extensive training and classes. He was nervous of course, not wanting to let anyone down, but very positive and on-track!

He was sent to SanAntonio Texas (Goodfellow Air Force Base) for a three month class in the Military Fire Academy. He worked very hard, met alot of new people, went out on the town, worked even harder and eventually completed the course on time! We were all so happy and proud!! We could not believe we were getting to fly out to Texas and see him graduate! The ceremony was beautiful and very special because, they had asked Fred to wear his Philadelphia Fire Department uniform so he could come on stage to pin Dominics military Firefighter Pin onto his uniform! It was a very proud moment for all of us - Dominic following in his Fathers footsteps - first joining the navy and now becoming a firefighter!! Fred and I are such proud parents we have two wonderful sons - Dom taking after his dad becoming a Firefighter and young Freddy, at this time, a teacher, like myself!!!!We will forevr be proud of them no-matter where their lives will take them - as long as they keep us close at heart!!!

We were so elated that Dominic was able to fly home with us (on our flight)and spend four days of the Christmas Holiday safe and sound at home!!!!! This was VERY unexpected because he actually had no time for leave built up! But because he graduated the Fire Academy they allowed him to come home for a (very short)visit!!!! Luckilly Fred and I got to spend three days in Texas with Dominic prior to coming home, because young Freddy basically stole him from us the minute we reached the states!!! It was the best Christmas present any parents could have ever asked for - to have their two wonderful sons together on Christmas Morn!! No money or presents in the world could have been better than sharing our holiday together! Its funny, now that I think back, everyone, deep down, knew our time was so short and limited before we had to hand our son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend - back to the Navy! But we tried hard not to think about it and it worked right up until the evening he packed up (again) to leave. My heart felt wrenched and I can remember Dominic standing in his room with his arms wrapped around me in a big bear hug as I cried quietly, and he whispered - "I love you so much." I honestly think of that each night I say my prayers and ask God to bless both of my sons!

And that brings us up to the present day - with Firefighter Dom in Sicily - and our family - still missing him!!! Although on a much brighter note - we are all in such a better place in our hearts and minds with Dominic being away (finally)!!!! It goes without saying how proud we are of Dominic - but now that he is so happy and confident and doing so well - we in turn are feeling the same! Not to mention that we get to Skype (greatest invention ever) and talk with him a few times a week! I often joke, saying that if we could have skyped and facebooked during his teenage years - we would have gotten along great!!!!! If anyone would have tried to tell me, a year ago, that I would be this happy and content with Dom in the navy - I would have thought them a crazy person!!! But, again, I would have been wrong!

Although Dominic says often he gets homesick - he also is very happy and self-assurred and content with his choice to serve his country! He visits different towns and cities, meets new and interesting people and is loving his time in Italy! Even though my heart longs to see my sons beautiful blue eyes and my arms long to hold him close and hear his jolly laughter - I now know this is what he was meant to do and there is no other place that Dominic should be right now! And I thank God, a few times a day, for putting our hearts (a little more) at peace! I am blessed!

Happy Birthday to My Baby

Happy 21st Birthday to my son Dominic! My heart is seriously breaking knowing that Dom has no family or friends around to help him celebrate. Well I shouldn't say no friends since I know he has made some new ones' while in Mississippi. But I am sorry, knowing Dominic's desire to be with his family and friends, it is not the same! Everyone that knows Dom, can tell you, that he has been waiting for the big 2 - 1 for quite sometime now!

We sent Dom his "birtday box" chocked full of goodies and treats, his favorite cologn and birthday cards. He is also able to wear civilian clothes on the weekends so we packed some of his favorite shorts and shirts! He loves receiving packages so I know this made him happy! Dom called last night and said that he wishes he was home to celebrate with Freddy! It broke my heart to hear him say this, but I didn't let on! But in the next breath he said that is all the more celebrating he will have to do when he gets home on Liberty in a few weeks!

Dominic is looking forward to going out on the town on Tuesay with some of his sailor buddies to celebrate his 21st! He couldn't go out today or tonight because he has a Physical Training test tomorrow and he wants to be in perfect shape. He has been working out alot in order to be very prepared! Then on Monday night he has watch - so that leads him to Tuesday to be able to go out and celebrate!

Each day I talk to Dominic he is happy and telling us all about what he has been up to! He is energetic and very satisfied with what he is doing! He says often that he knows this was the best thing for him! Since today is very hard for me, being so far from Dom, I just keep thinking how happy and content he is in the Navy! I will just keep closing my eyes and thinking good thoughts!!!!!

Decisions, Decisions!

Well it is amazing how fast things can change! 8 weeks ago, when Dominic was still in bootcamp, he had written us a letter telling us that when he got to write down his choices of where he would like to be stationed he was putting Dover, Delaware down as his first choice and Virginia as his second choice. His dad told him he was surprised as one of the reasonings that Dominic gave us for choosing the Navy was because he wanted to travel and see the world. And now, because he was so homesick and totally hated anything that had to do with the Navy, during his first few weeks in Great Lakes, he was choosing a base which was close to home. I of course, knowing how homesick he was and knowing I would get to see him often, was happy he was choosing a base close to home!

As days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, I am amazed at the transformation that has taken place with my youngest son Dominic. When Dom called home about three weeks ago he, once again, talked to us about his choices for bases to be stationed. Very confidentantly he told us that he was contemplating putting Italy down as his first base. I was shocked. He said the only problem, besides missing the family so much, he was concerned with the price of airfare - since the sailors would always have to pay 1 way. He said he would be afraid that he wouldn't be able to get home enough when he had scheduled leave due to lack of money to pay for the airfare. Although I was still partially speechless, I told him that he would never, ever have to worry about the cost of airfare, that whenever he would be able to come home, we would always find a way to get the money together for him to travel. Well his next call he told us that he put in for Italy as his first choice and Spain for his second choice. I didn't get real panicked because after talking to alot of people, I was informed that sailors usually do not get their preferred choices - due to so many requests. Although I loved the idea of Dominic traveling - which was his wish - I really didn't want him to be stationed in Europe. Eight weeks ago, being stationed overseas, was one of the reasons he didn't follow through with the SWCC - as he couldn't imagine choosing to be so far from home.

Well, surprise, Dominic called last week and was ecstatic and overjoyed! I hadn't heard him this excited in ages. He announced that he received his shipout orders and he will be heading to Italy - SICILY - for two years, shore duty! Just hearing his excitement, do you know I was immediately jumping for joy when he gave me the news. I thought at this time I would have fallen apart, when my baby told me he would be going to Europe for two years! But, ironically, it was the complete opposite! My heart was seriously exploding from excitement and happiness for Dominic. He was just freaked that he got Sicily, as he had also heard that it is very rare you get your first choice. He called a few times that day, and we talked all about him traveling to Sicily and how wonderful it was going to be. His mind was working a million miles a minute. Again, I haven't heard him this excited in a very, very long time!

And here we are, spreading the word of his plans, and even making our own plans for Sicily! Dominic will be finishing "A" school by the end of May and coming home for 21 days!!! Now that the excitement of his great news is wearing off - now he is just excited to get home for his extended liberty! All he can talk about now is the "kick-ass" BBQ we will be having when he returns. He is spreading the word - like wildfire! Gosh, I haven't felt this happy inside, for my son Dom, in a very long time! He is confident, positive, brave, and standing on his own. Relief, again, sets in! I know I am putting the day he leaves for Italy on the back burner, and I refuse to think about how my heart is going to be ripping out when I say goodbye! I am not going to think of that now - only the positive things!

Also wanted to mention - that Freddy had an operation on his hand and got a plate and 8 screws put in. The doctors are hoping for a full recovery with full movement of all his fingers. He is doing well and I LOVED taking care of him! I know by now he is getting tired of us pampering him and he needs to get back to his place!!! But I will take care of him as long as he wants!!!! God, at this moment, I really miss my two sons being little boys again. When I used to be able to kiss all their tears and fears away, when we used to stay in and watch TGIF and make milkshakes on Friday nights! Oh well, life goes on...

We are a Very Lucky Family

At 6 am Easter morn we received a phone call telling us that our Freddy was in a serious car accident on the Roosevelt Blvd. It is one of the worst call any parent could ever receive. Luckilly my dear friend Anne Marie was the one that called us - so within seconds she was able to tell us that he would be alright. We were scared to death. We flew down to Temple Hospital where we picked him up. It turns out Freddy has a broken hand - with two broken bones being tangled around each other. We are heading out to the specialist this afternoon where we will be able to get more information on his condition. Freddy and his friends that were in the car were very lucky to have walked away from the accident with the injuries they incurred. Sal received 35 stitches in his mouth and Mongo's ear was all ripped up - but he was ok.

As we were driving to the hospital a million scenarios were going through my head. We weren't really sure what was wrong at this point so all I kept thinking of was Dominic is going to be so upset that he can't be here for his brother. Without seeing Freddy and knowing how serious things were, I just kept wondering what I was going to tell Dom without making him be so upset when he is so many miles away. This was Dominic's main concern before he left you know. He asked me many times what would happen if something bad happened to someone in the family - how we he get to us.

Ironically after we got home, within 10 minutes Dominic text us to say Happy Easter. Of course, even though Freddy was home with us, I still didn't want to tell him, because I knew he would be upset. As much as I wanted to say nothing - I made him a promise before he left. He asked that if anything were to go wrong with anyone, we have to be honest with him and let him know right away. Although I promised him, I knew he still didn't have faith in my promise - as 2 years ago I had let him down after making this same promise. I will never live that lie down.

When Fred found out he had cancer, we didn't tell my sons for about 5 days. They knew something was wrong but we beat all around the bush before we could bring ourselves to tell them this devastating news. When we finally told them they were so upset that we didn't share the news with them immediately. They both felt let down because we didn't have enough faith in them. Do you know, even though we knew our sons were upset, there were still many times that followed that we tried to protect them from his serious conditions and treatments. Even though they were young men, we found it hard to break such sad news to them. We always tried to sugarcoat things to protect their hearts. I know that we have scarred them from thinking we can be honest with them. I swear we couldn't help it while we were doing it.

Anyway this is what made me tell Dom immediately what happened with Freddy. I emailed him the pictures of the car and we talk in length about everything. I text him that I know he is a brave man now - so I hope he believes that from here on in I will always be honest with him. He believed me, thank God. He handled everything well, because he knows Freddy will be fine.

We were hosting the Easter Party for my family so I had to follow thru since we had all the food at our house! We actually got in 1 hour before everyone arrived. We planned that they would just have let themselves in if we weren't home yet, since everything was all ready to go! Although I was so happy my family was with me now, I couldn't help but think what a horrible Easter this was for me. Although I feel blessed Freddy was fine and that everyone in my family was together - I hated that Dominic wasn't with us and that I still was shaken from the horrible call I received that Easter Morn. But all in all - we are a very lucky family.

TimesThey Are a Changin

Although I am trying to talk myself into thinking my Easter will be good this year - I just can't. There is nothing I can send Dominic in a package that will make him feel as happy as being with his family at Easter. Dominic loves family traditions and cherished the time our family was always able to get together! I know how hard this holiday will be for him, as this was the holiday we always held at our house! Although, one thing he won't miss, is me acting like a crazy lady trying to get everything ready because I am a very last minute type of person!!!! So I will add that to his list of "positives" of him being away!
On a brighter note - let me tell you now that Dominic has his cell phone - it is like heaven for me!!! We get to talk to him just about everyday now! I love when I am going about my own business and he sends a random text just asking how I am doing - or telling me he misses me! I feel so much better knowing what is "somewhat" going on in his life now!
Dominic is doing very well. He told me he has never felt so healthy and refreshed. He runs a few miles every other day, does physical training a few days and then has just started to lift weights. His days are usually very busy with school and paperwork and watches etc., so when he has down time he really appreciates it! He says he knows now all the things that he took for granted! I don't feel he took things for granted - I call it "growing up!"
Well Dom has put in a request to ship out to Italy, Siciliy, or Spain (as his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices). This is so surprising to me since about 5 weeks ago - during Boot Camp - the only place he wanted to go was to a base in Delaware! That was all he talked about! But again, that was when he was sooooo homesick! Although we will miss him terrible being so far away, we are glad that he is fulfilling the reason he joined the Navy. He said he wanted to serve his country and also travel while he was young! I am going to try and find all the positives to this scenario - for instance my family going to visit Dom in another country so that he can show us all around! Do you know, I am so proud of my youngest son - well truthfully - of course - both of them!!!!!!!!!!!!