For me, one of the hardest parts about being a military family is saying good-bye. Some of my friends don’t ever say good-bye because it is too hard, they just avoid you during your last weeks, or say see you around. This is true; many times we will run into old friends at a new duty station. When we left Texas in April, I thought I was done with good-byes for a long time. I mean I made the rounds, my family, Hubbies family came to visit, I had good-bye lunches with friends, the kids had “one last sleepover” with each of their good friends, we were done with good-bye for a long time – we thought. When I was looking at the houses the military offered us, I came up on a lady working in her yard with a little boy and girl (pictured). She was very friendly, offered advice about the area and told me this was the best neighborhood, & the best cul-de-sac on post. We talked about our children & realized we had several that are around the same age as each other (she has 7, and number 8 is on the way). She offered drinks to my children and a stroller to me since we were walking and did not have a car at the time. She told me to take my time and bring the stroller back when I didn’t need it anymore. I decided then that this is the house I wanted to live in, the one next door to this very nice family I had just met. Since we have been here, about 6 weeks, the “M” family has become part of our daily lives. They were very generous with everything, since we didn’t have our household goods yet; I could borrow anything from them and didn’t feel like I was putting them out. Their kids were welcome in our house anytime, as ours were welcome in their house. I felt like I had had an extended family just next door. J, the mom is an amazing woman; she is so calm and peaceful and always speaks in a gentle voice that was warm and welcoming. J introduced me to many things in Korea, like my “happy place”, the flower market, where I went this morning at 5AM. She also introduced me to Yeoju, the pottery town, sent us on the white water rafting trip, told me the crazy lady taking pictures of my children was harmless (the modeling agent) & sold us on a trip to Siapan – she he should have made the commission on that trip package! She also told me about the fabric market & toy alley, where I have yet to go, but will and will think of J while I am there.
Yesterday, we had to say another good-bye, the M family is moving on. It was a hard good-bye for me & our children. Who would have thought we would have all made such a good friend in such a short time. Thanks to the M family for making our introduction to Korea even better with your kindness and friendship. You will be greatly missed.
Flowers, paper & ribbon I bought at the flower market this morning.