Getting To Parris Island

Natalie left on Sunday, November 16th, she wasn't able to take anything with her but her wallet, hair straightener, make up and the clothes she was wearing. She stayed in SLC and her flight was the next day. On Monday, November 17th Norene went down to the recruiter's office, to find out what Natalie was in for, and he said he didn't think Natalie had left for the airport yet so he called the office down in SLC to find out. Natalie was still there and able to talk to Norene for a few minutes. She said she had just been sworn in and was on her way to the airport. She said she would try to call when she got to the airport.
Once she got to SLC airport she called and said she had made it and that she would call again when she got to the airport in Atlanta, Georgia. Once she got to Atlanta, she called and said she made it and found her gate and everything was good. She only had 30 minutes so she was going to hurry and grab a sandwich and get on the plane. If she was able to she would try to call when she got to the airport in South Carolina.
Well, about 20 minutes had past and Norene got another phone call from Natalie, and this was not a good one! She was crying and out of breath.... She had missed her flight!! Her ticket said gate V1 and once she got there it said it was going to Columbia. They changed her gate to V28. She took off running as fast as she could but didn't make it. She wasn't sure what to do and thought that she would be in so much trouble, we did too. Norene told her to call her recruiter and ask him what to do. Also, by now her calling card had run out so she had to use a random man's cell phone to make these calls. Her recruiter told her that their was a number to call if you miss your flight, so she did that. We were all so nervous about what would happen so Norene called the recruiter too. He said it happens all of the time and that she wouldn't be in any more trouble. Well Natalie called back, and she was able to get on a later flight and they said they would be there to pick her up when she got there. By now, Natalie had calmed down and found her new gate. There were about 5 other people at her gate that had missed their flights too. So at least now she wasn't alone. She told Norene she would try to call once she got to the airport but she didn't know if she could.
At about 11pm the phone rings and it was Natalie again, only this time she was calling from boot camp. She called and said "This is recruit Harris. I have made it to Parris Island." She said don't send her anything or try to contact her and that she will send a letter in 4-7 days with her address. Then she ended it with Good Evening. It was a very scripted phone call but at least we know she made it ok. This was a crazy day for everyone and we can't imagine what Natalie had to go through. We all just pray that she is ok and that she can adjust well to her new life as a marine.

Natalie . . . . .IN THE MARINES? ? ? . . . ! ! ! !

Well, the surprise . . . SHOCK, is more like it, of the year, at our household, came November 14th at about 10:45 p.m. Natalie asked if she could talk to me for a minute. She said she didn't quite know how to tell me, but the next thing I knew, I thought she said, " I have joined the Marines!" "WHAT,?" of course, was the first thing that came out of my mouth. What really knocked me for a loop was when I asked her when she was leaving, and she said, "Sunday afternoon, the 16th." Of course my eyes filled with tears. There was so much for me to process. I just grabbed her and hugged her and couldn't let go. I have two daughters and four sons. The first daughter became a firefighter, and the other joins the military. I guess that is what happens when you have four brothers born between you. . . . . . Not much time to play dollies and have tea parties together!!! I wish she would have told us sooner because all I could think of was. . . that is not enough time to say goodbye. During the few hours we had left with her before her departure, we all went out to dinner and to a movie. Sunday at noon we had a family lunch at home. At 3 o'clock that afternoon we took her to Logan to say goodbye and leave her in the hands of her Recruiting Staff Sgt. Wheeler. That goodbye was very hard for me. Once the whirlwind of my emotions had calmed down some, we had a chance to look up some information about boot camp at Paris Island, where she will be stationed for the next 13 weeks. OH MY HEAVENS . . . I try not to think too much about what she is going through. Natalie is a strong individual and I have no doubt that she will be remarkable. Our thoughts are with her always and many prayers are said in her behalf each day. If there is one thing I wish Natalie could actually hear me say every day, is that I love her so much and that I am proud she is a Marine.