*Note, because this news is so new, I am keeping the details vague until a later time...We found out yesterday that very dear friends have received orders sooner than expected and will be leaving the island this coming summer (just mere months away). This is bittersweet. For the military member, it meant a promotion, which was great news. It also means a duty station that is not Hawaii. That was not so great news.
Because these friends are in a different military branch, it is fair to say that we will most likely never live in the same town as these friends again. After such a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holiday with them, it is even harder. When I heard the news, I was in shock for a little while.
Now, when you are in the military (or married to it, in my case), there are certain things that you know come with the territory: new adventures, spouses who work late and may have to travel a lot (sometimes without much notice), different cities and customs, holidays away from loved ones, and of course the ever impending move. We know these things are a part of the military way of life. And, normally, we go with the flow and take these things as they come, knowing that they will be hurdles but that we'll get through them.
And, in the military lifestyle, you meet lots and lots of families. Families like yourself, with the same tales of new cities, new lives, and moves from Station A to Station B. Some families you meet and befriend, and they are in your lives while you're at that station. Some families remain in your life for much, much longer, especially if you are very fortunate. This family will be one of those families for us - they will remain in our lives for a very long time.
But soon they won't be "just down the street" anymore. They won't stop by for Wii night or a Saturday BBQ. We won't watch the fireworks or sit in the park together anymore. And that is, by far, one of the hardest things about this military lifestyle. Knowing that each friend has a "time limit" - their physical presence in your life is temporary. You may still talk to them for years and years, if you are very lucky, but they won't be in your neighborhood or in your town anymore.
Of course, worrying about your solider, especially when they are away or TDY, is the absolute hardest. And being far from home stinks. But, making friends - true friends - and sharing your life with them is right up there. In the back of your mind, you know that the day will come that you will have to say "Goodbye". You keep it back there in the back of your mind and you don't think about it, but then you get the message that the orders are here and your friends have to go.
It is one of the worst sentences to hear. Even when you know it's coming.
To our friends, the subject of today's blog - you will be close to our hearts FOREVER, no matter where your next duty station may be. You have given our Hawaii experience an amazing and wonderful twist that we never anticipated. We will miss you not being physically here, but your Miis will remain on our Wii so you will never be too far!! :-)
To our friends that we (1) will move away from at some point in the future, or (2) have already moved away from: You are also in our hearts, FOREVER. Not only do we have the bond of the Armed Forces, and the Armed Forces lifestyle, but the bond of lasting friendship, which transcends duty station and physical location. Whether we talk everyday or once a year, you are always with us.
Because these friends are in a different military branch, it is fair to say that we will most likely never live in the same town as these friends again. After such a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holiday with them, it is even harder. When I heard the news, I was in shock for a little while.
Now, when you are in the military (or married to it, in my case), there are certain things that you know come with the territory: new adventures, spouses who work late and may have to travel a lot (sometimes without much notice), different cities and customs, holidays away from loved ones, and of course the ever impending move. We know these things are a part of the military way of life. And, normally, we go with the flow and take these things as they come, knowing that they will be hurdles but that we'll get through them.
And, in the military lifestyle, you meet lots and lots of families. Families like yourself, with the same tales of new cities, new lives, and moves from Station A to Station B. Some families you meet and befriend, and they are in your lives while you're at that station. Some families remain in your life for much, much longer, especially if you are very fortunate. This family will be one of those families for us - they will remain in our lives for a very long time.
But soon they won't be "just down the street" anymore. They won't stop by for Wii night or a Saturday BBQ. We won't watch the fireworks or sit in the park together anymore. And that is, by far, one of the hardest things about this military lifestyle. Knowing that each friend has a "time limit" - their physical presence in your life is temporary. You may still talk to them for years and years, if you are very lucky, but they won't be in your neighborhood or in your town anymore.
Of course, worrying about your solider, especially when they are away or TDY, is the absolute hardest. And being far from home stinks. But, making friends - true friends - and sharing your life with them is right up there. In the back of your mind, you know that the day will come that you will have to say "Goodbye". You keep it back there in the back of your mind and you don't think about it, but then you get the message that the orders are here and your friends have to go.
It is one of the worst sentences to hear. Even when you know it's coming.
To our friends, the subject of today's blog - you will be close to our hearts FOREVER, no matter where your next duty station may be. You have given our Hawaii experience an amazing and wonderful twist that we never anticipated. We will miss you not being physically here, but your Miis will remain on our Wii so you will never be too far!! :-)
To our friends that we (1) will move away from at some point in the future, or (2) have already moved away from: You are also in our hearts, FOREVER. Not only do we have the bond of the Armed Forces, and the Armed Forces lifestyle, but the bond of lasting friendship, which transcends duty station and physical location. Whether we talk everyday or once a year, you are always with us.
1 comment:
It is always so very sad to see good friends leave. We live in an area high in relocation... people moving away in corp AMerica. We have seen many friends go. It is always sad.
Post a Comment