I met up with my fabulous friend, Annie, for some coffee on post. We didn't get to chat long because she and her hubby had things to do, but it was a good chat and I'm so glad I got to see her. This will be the last time I'll see her for who-knows-how-long. She's PCSing to Italy with her hubby and they're leaving today.
It's been a heartbreaking process for her because Hawaii is what she considers home. I think that's only part of the heartbreak for her, though, because once they get to Italy their days are numbered. He's deploying...again. If you remember, we met last year while both of our hubbies were deployed. The unit he's going to is deploying soon after they arrive. I hurt for her because I know how that is. Joe deployed when we'd been in Hawaii for less than 2 months. I wasn't in a different country, but given the amount of people I knew I might as well have been.
I hate that she's going through this and I really hate that I have to finish out our "tour" here without her. We didn't spend just a whole lot of time together once our husbands came home, but I figure that's about normal. We had some great times together while our husbands were gone, and even when they came home. We spent July 4th, my birthday, Labor Day and Thanksgiving together. She {and her hubby} became family.
And yesterday I was forced to say goodbye to my deployment sister... It's hard saying goodbye to family, even the ones you adopt. I still don't know how I made it through the day without crying.
Several of the friends I made during the deployment are leaving soon, so I know this is just the first of many to come. I dread all of them and can only hope that God will send me some more friends and help me to keep in close touch with the ones who are leaving.
Awe wishing you and Annie all the best.
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Friends moving is always sad :( When we moved to Germany in 2007 my husband deployed 2 months after we got there and I had just met my neighbor. She became one of my favorite friends and when she PCSed right after the unit got back, I was so sad. :( You'll make new friends and Annie will make new friends in Italy (hopefully before her husband has to leave). You'll see each other again though I'm sure ;)
ReplyDeleteI hate that she is going through this too! :(
ReplyDeleteIt really stinks being a military family sometimes, but theres always facebook!
PS- We will be here until mid 2013, so if you ever want to hang out, I'm game! :)
I was wondering if you two knew each other, so I guess that's my answer! I follow her blog as well...I feel terrible for her as well and how hard it's been. I wish her luck and her hubby a safe and quick return from this next deployment!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Lord will definitely send more sweet friends your way. I always admire military spouses for the way they move their life so often and do it with grace. Good luck to your deployment friend on her upcoming move!
ReplyDeleteThankfully, it's a small Army (getting smaller, ha ha) and odds are, we'll all run into each other again eventually. At least, that's what I keep telling myself when I think of you and all my other friends I can only connect with via facebook anymore. :)
ReplyDeleteJust remember that your aren't losing a friend. You'll always be connected, and with the military, you never know when your paths will cross again. God always seems to provide exactly what you need when you need it. He will bring you a new friend to be by your side. I've said "goodbye" and "hello" to so many different wonderful people in my military wife life, but I've found that the goodbyes are never true goodbyes. They're always in your heart. :)
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm sorry to hear you had to say good bye to her for now. Maybe you guys will end up in the same place again one day.
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