High Times in the Tidewater

Everyone knows the military is all about “hurry up and wait.” We are literally waiting on an act of Congress to approve funding so we can get orders to move. Until then, nothing is certain. Well, Hawaii in early 2017 is certain, but the timing on everything is mush. 

“Hawaii! You’re so lucky!” said at least THREE PEOPLE. Lucky? Am I lucky? WONDERFUL! It’s so odd to be on the receiving end of an emotion other than pity for once. I love it! Then the sewage backed up in the basement again and the microwave broke. I will feel lucky if I survive this house long enough to move out! 

Last week, our friends moved. “You have no idea how hard it is to walk past your friends’ houses everyday knowing they don’t live there anymore,” said my friend Kelly when she started her second tour in Japan. Her words come to mind frequently lately as I see the empty house across the street 1,000 times a day. Their loss (an inevitable military move! We knew this was coming!) feels almost tangible, as if the lack of their presence has us tipping over to that side, like we’re missing a table leg. But every time I see Megan’s closed red front door, the empty swings, I thank God that we were neighbors. I don’t know how we would have survived this tour without them! Fair winds! Following seas! We’re happy for your next adventure! Sorry y’all fell through our rotten back deck last time we had you over for dinner. 

Now it’s time for US to blow this joint!