My Military Family — How I Found Home Far Away From Home
“Families are made in the heart.” - C. JoyBell C.
Over thirty years ago I left the home I grew up in to set out on the first real adventure of my adult life. I boarded a plane — destination, an overseas military community where I anticipated I would live and work for just two years. I’m still there today, still enjoying the adventure. Little did I know that in leaving home I would discover the true meaning of home; in leaving family, I would find connections I never imagined.
Growing up as an only child I didn’t experience the joys and pains of siblings. But when I tentatively stepped off the plane in a strange land expecting to feel alone and confused I was instead welcomed by fellow Americans who made me feel . . . Well, right “at home”.
Over the years my new family grew and changed and together with them I learned about community and the true American spirit in big ways and small. We laughed together about foreign language translation faux pas, undecipherable train schedules and unique toilets.
And we cried together — happy tears and sad tears — about deployments, illness, births, deaths and the thousands of little problems and disappointments that seem so big until you share the burden with others.
