One of the hardest parts of military life is leaving behind your extended family and knowing you may only see them once every year or two...
Knowing that the next trip home may be for a funeral...
Knowing that your family is growing and changing without you...
Knowing that "home" isn't really your home anymore...
I didn't get to go "home" this year. It's been over a year since our last trip. I haven't met my one-year old niece yet. Jason's parents and sisters have never even met Amelia.
I will always be glad we were able to take our kids to see Pop-Pop one more time last spring. He still remembered us, still didn't mind talking military life with Jason and still enjoyed seeing the kids.
My grandfather served in the Air Force and lived all over the world. He put down roots in the DC area and so that is where my dad was born, where I grew up, and the place we call home. It is fitting that he will be honored with a military burial at Arlington National Cemetery, right down the road from home.
I can't help but look at my grandfather and be reminded of my dad. It breaks my heart to think of us living so far away and seeing each other so infrequently. Spending only a few days together every year is just not enough. The years pass so quickly.
So it looks like there will be a trip home for me this year after all. Sadly, it will be a trip to say good-bye.
