I have to admit that when we first found out that Andy would be heading to the Sergeants Major Academy at Ft. Bliss, I had a moment (or two) where I thought that I might stay behind in Savannah with the kids.
Savannah is beautiful. We loved our church and the homeschool co-op we were a part of. There were so many things to see and do – and the beach was close by. I really didn’t want to leave, especially since our tour there was only 11 months long. Not long enough for me to feel like it was time to move (that usually happens at about the 2-3 year mark).
Anyway, after that brief moment of wanting to stay, I decided that we had to come to El Paso as a family. Military life is so uncertain and the possibility of him deploying soon after the Academy was high. I didn’t like the thought of us being apart voluntarily for a year, only to have him deploy soon after that. It didn’t matter where we’d be living, we’d live there together. And so we moved to El Paso as a family – and I’m so glad we did.
Even though this isn’t the place that I’d like to retire, this has been one of my favorite tours so far. Not because of the sight-seeing or the weather (which usually factors highly into the equation). But because of all of the great people I’ve met.
There was such a great sense of community in our neighborhood. Most of the people were in class together. We all attended the same functions. Our kids played together. We’d see each other on the walking trail and at the store. We volunteered together.
I have to admit that some of the places I really enjoyed living, I didn’t necessarily make very many friends. I barely knew my neighbors – everyone was going their own directions and doing their own things. I’ve really enjoyed this past year here at Ft Bliss and the sense of camaraderie. I hope I can find that again, but I’m not so sure that I will.
You’ll find it. You’re doing things differently now. You’ll seek out those groups or functions that brought you together with the last group of friends. El Paso, Part II will be just as awesome as Part I was!
isn’t that nice when a little blessing pops in when you least expect it
so glad you guys are enjoying this time
We have that too, from duty station to duty station. You have lifelong friends at some and acquaintainces at others. It makes it very difficult to be settled in. Good luck this year to you!