My boyfriend called me on Sunday. The first time in 10 days, and the second time since landing in hell. We talked for about 15 minutes, about what has been going on over here, and what all he has been doing. Apparently cleaning big trucks is a 10 day ordeal. When the conversation ended, he told me some things he would like in a care package. A care package. Next to letters and phone calls to home, a soldier loves receiving care packages. Over the weekend I made my first care package of what I expect to be many.
I included the usual suspects that are enclosed: baby wipes, gatorade, toiletries, canned food, and snacks. I tried to make it special though, by placing some things in it that would separate my boyfriends care package from the rest.
I wrote him a letter about how I feel and also about what I placed in the box and why.
I sent movies that I thought he would enjoy.
I placed a box of Flintstones Vitamins,
because even though he is 25, he is still a child at heart, and loves them. I also placed a stress ball, and told him to use it when he is stressed. I gave him a nerf ball, to throw at the guys. I also sent him two books of facts. One was a book about facts of PA and another of just useless stuff. He would look at the fun fact books we have placed in our bathroom at home, take them and read them on our couch. I also put a rubix cube, and a fish bath sponge. The two best things I placed were things that I know he loves and misses back home: A huge, fluffy Pens blanket for the nights when it gets really cold, and a pack of cards, poker chips, and fake money, for when he has the urge to go to the casino.
I know that this is the first of many that I will send, so to not be repetitive of what I send, I found a website that describes different types of themed care packages to send. The site also tells you the rules and regulations as to what you are and are not allowed to send. The website is www.marriedtothearmy.com
The post office man told me that I am lucky he is in the military, because if I was sending it to him if he just lived overseas, the cost would be way more than it was. I just hope that he gets it!
The vitamins are such a sweet touch they make me want to weep! (Don't tell your mom about this weeping.) Great post, Jenna. This is the blog you were meant to write all along, I think. I'm so glad you're doing it.
ReplyDeleteI would always poke fun at him with taking the vitamins. I think he will like them. And I think you're right, about this being the blog to write. It is a lot easier and flows a lot smoother. I will definitely blog on this long after the class is over, and up until he comes home safe :)
ReplyDeleteMy dad deployed twice - once to Italy, once to Iraq - and I remember the days of care packages. I remember sending books and burned CDs, and one year around Easter my mom found this little camo basket with matching plastic eggs that we sent.
ReplyDeleteThats funny you say that because I totally picked up camo easter eggs at Walmart today for his care package. How did your dad like being deployed?
ReplyDeleteIt's weird, because he has some really funny stories about barracks life and things like knocking power out accidentally when driving a tank, but he did get hurt and hated the desert.
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