It seems like everything pertaining to military life is a good side/bad side sort of thing. Take making friends, for example. Sure, it is awesome that I've got friends all over the world, and I get to keep meeting new people. On the other hand, there are those first few months in a new place where you don't know anyone. And then there is that awful feeling when you realize that this person you've just met, and kind of like, is PCSing in four months.
Now, I know that it doesn't always happen this way, but it sure does seem to happen a lot. If you live in a military neighborhood, or on base, you've got to guess that any potential new friends are going to leave before you leave. Which puts you back at the beginning, having to make new friends again. If only potential friends came with a Projected Rotation Date nametag - then you could make an educated decision. Because introducing yourself with "So, how much longer will you be here?" isn't exactly the usual way to say hello.
I am thankful for all my friends, including the ones that I've only got to spend time with briefly, my imaginary friends (as my husband calls my internet friends), and the friends that I've been blessed to spend years near. If only I could build my own neighborhood and have you all come nearby. How great that would be!
photo by: woodleywonderworks
