Always Changing...

The one constant thing in life, is change.

Growing up in Sonora, TX - I was a child who couldn't fathom living anywhere else, or doing anything else except going to school IN Sonora, TX. I couldn't imagine being an adult. I couldn't imagine not having my mother and father. I couldn't see past the day's end, so consumed was I in all that my life held. If you had asked me when I was 14, if I'd ever join the military, travel the world, marry a Parisien, have 3 kids, and live somewhere other than at home with my mom and dad - I'd have killed you for speaking those words aloud, threatening the very innocence of my mind! But life changed... Dad died... mom moved on... I got too old for school... and the story goes on.

My life in the military has constantly changed, as well... I've changed supervisors, and squadrons... duty stations... the hardest of all these changes is saying goodbye to friends that have touched my life in ways that benefit the soul. Keri, Heather and Emily were my best friends in Shreveport for 6 years. One evening in April, 2005, I went to visit Emily for the last time. I was leaving the next day for a 1 week TDY, and while gone she would be moving to Virginia. Before leaving her house that night, I hugged her and choked back tears until I got in the car. I cried uncontrollably the whole way across town, back to my apartment. Emily is a sister to me. We shared pregnancy together, and raised our children together for 2.5 years. She's an incredible source of comfort and  knowledge when I'm having a hard time with my kids... Despite the distance, and the time apart - and thanks to FACEBOOK and a few free moments of time every now and then, we've managed to keep in touch!

Em and Jill, the way I want to remember them (I hate that she's growing up!!!)

And today... right now... somewhere over the Atlantic - is my good friend Amy, her husband Mike, and her boys Jake, Josh, and Drew. For the last 2+ years, they've lived underneath us here in base housing in Germany. Jake and Ava have become GREAT friends. Amy's couch has been a spot of comfort, a place to vent my greatest frustrations over the last couple years. We've traded babysitting for nights out with our husbands. Her faith has been an example and guiding light in many decisions I've made in my life, recently. In my most negative moods, I could always count on Amy to bring a smile and chase away the gray.

Amy, Mike, Josh, Jake & Drew

There's no doubt in my mind that, just as with Emily, we'll keep in touch - but this era in my life is over. I do not here Jake and Josh's pitter-patter feet running around in their living room below us anymore, just as I moved on from driving across town to Emily's to watch Survivor while the girls played in the tub together.

Thanks for sharing life with me, Amy! You have no idea just how much I'm really going to miss you :) See you back in Texas!