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Dear Aunt Nana,

I have a strapping 19 year old son who's going to be leaving in a few days for basic training in the Marines. I do not have a problem with that; my problem is this: Do I make an address book for him with addresses and phone numbers of family and friends or send him some post cards with addresses on them?

Now I know he's not going to be able to write that much, so this is why I'm wondering if I should do this for him or should I wait until he's out of Basic Training? He does have e-mail and that address book is full, but I don't know if the internet will be available to him during this time. What do you advise?

Anxious Mom

Dear Anxious Mom:

What a nice and thoughtful gesture for your son!

This is what I would do:

Make out the postcards, including stamps (normally I do not advise this, because I think one should learn to get their own stamps at least, however, this is a special circumstance) and give those to him for when he can scrape five minutes to scrawl out a note telling everyone either how much fun he's having (yes, there are some that think Basic Training is a kick in the pants) or how tired he is and never wants to go through the experience again.

THEN, after Basic Training, when you're hugging him to death at the graduation ceremony, present him with a filled address book and maybe one book of stamps and nice, male appropriate stationary and pen. Enclose a note explaining that after the book of stamps is used up, he's on his own for stamps, but that you expect to hear from him from time to time. Also, explain to him that there are APO's where ever he may be stationed and I have it on good authority that they DO SELL STAMPS.

Congratulations on your son's pending military adventure!

Aunt Nana