Today has been a little emotional for me. I am so anxious for Ben to come home (bright and early in the morning). But while I am here, my heart is at home. At my parents house. With my brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and everyone else who has gathered. Yep, a family reunion without me. I wish I would have been able to go. But things didn't work out the way that I expected.
I started thinking about, what home is. There is a saying that goes, "home is where the Navy sends you". And although they are talking about your station...I think there may be a little bit more meaning to it. Let me take you back to the year 2002...
I was sitting in my parents basement watching JAG ( it was the one when Bud lost his leg) and I got a phone call from Ben. "Well Marie, I have good news and I have bad news. The good news is that I got my orders. The bad is that we are not going to any of the places we picked. They are sending us to Norfolk."
I was kind of in shock. But I told him that as long as we were together, any place was home.
So we moved to Norfolk. We made new friends. We found new schools. We found new stores to go too. We found a new ward. We started all over again. And then in what seems like the blink of an eye, 4 years had passed. Our time was up and it was time to move on. We were anxious to go somewhere new, but part of our hearts stayed in Norfolk.
We moved here to Guam. We made new friends. We found new schools. We found new stores to go too. We found a new branch. And now a year has flown by. We have said some goodbyes ( miss you Tiff),we have had new experiences, we have lived our life.
While Ben was in Afghanistan, I got one call from a member of his wardroom, asking if I needed anything. Just one. This time,Ben has been gone for a little over a month. I have had 4-5 phone calls, countless emails, my neighbor has stepped up numerous times to help me. Our branch at church, has totally stepped in and supported me. It has been amazing.
I don't have family here. But in a way...it feels like I do. So am I home? Is Guam home? My kids consider Norfolk to be home. I consider White Salmon to be home. And Ben...The Dalles.
I don't know where I am going with all this. I have just been thinking about home and family. And I think whoever said, " Home is where your heart is" was right. So part of my heart is in White Salmon and part is here on Guam.
So while everyone is having fun laughing, talking,eating, teasing Darla, playing with kids, having a talent show, working on crafts and all that...don't forget about the Turner family. We miss you all and can't wait until we can see you again!
10 comments:
We miss you here in Norfolk. I'm sure their fun at the reunion has been hampered by you not being there:(
Marie - you've captured my thoughts that I experience daily. Coming from a "rooted" upbringing - it's hard find my niche in this constantly changing lifestyle.
Here's a twist - reading about Liberation Day from here in the "homeland" made me feel like WE were missing out. . . homesick.
Been there, done that....and it sucks! It's hard being so far away from your family, especially when they're all together and you're not!
I think everywhere we go, we have to find a little bit of "home". It's the only way you get by!
This is such a sweet post. I admire you so much for all you do to support your husband in his job. I am sure your family misses you as much, if not more, than you miss them!! Love ya!
I'm sorry you have to miss out on your family reunion - it's no fun to be away when everyone else is together! Even though we aren't a military family, the four years we spent here is the longest I have lived in one place since Hood River and so identifying "home" can be tricky, but I think every place I have spent time in leaves a little imprint of "home" on me, which is neat. (If that didn't make sense, it is rather late...)
I LOVED THAT POST! I MISS YOU TOO! You are one of my closest friends and I miss you like crazy!!!
oh...Marie....I just realized I am on Kory's account! You were probably thinking "why is Kory being so sentimental!"
I can totally relate to you on this one!! My heart is in many places!
I left a message for you on my blog.. if you haven't already checked it out! I miss you hon! I hope can get get together when you make it out to Cali!
Poor Darla, she had to put up with all my teasing since I couldn't share some of it on you, too (although Michelle and Tobin and Deanne took some of it) - I read this blog post of yours last night during the talent/share feelings part of FHE (yes, I am talented - I can read) and it made everyone cry and love you even more. Of course, we are all jealous you are going to Hawaii - have fun
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