Where's The Good in Goodbye? Part 1

These next few weeks begin the hardest part of the military life.  It’s not the packing or the moving or the not having a house to live when we get to our destination.  No, those things are just inconveniences.  The hardest thing is the goodbyes. 

While living this military adventure, we develop close friendships.  And wouldn’t you know it, those people find a place in our hearts and become not only become our friends, but apart of our family. 

Our military family

This past Friday began the first of the goodbyes.  We had a little get together with some of our military family.  I can’t even begin to say how wonderful these people are.  They are more than just friends, they truly are our family.  Fortunately, we do not have to say goodbye to the Wilsons.  We are taking them with us to Texas.  Rebecca, Deb and Melissa (who is in Afghanistan) have been like aunts to the kids and they have become some of the dearest friends.  I’m truly going to miss getting together on a whim on Friday nights.  We are already making plans for their Texas visit

Wesley and "Aunt" Rebecca

I don't even know. 

My girls.  I'm going to miss them a ton.  Well, except Yvette.  I'm bringing her with me.

Our latest goodbye was this evening - Madelynn had her last piano lesson with her fantastic teacher, Ms. Chi.  Over the last three years, Ms. Chi has watched Madelynn grow and change and not just musically. Similarly, we have watched Ms. Chi’s life change. With a new house, a new husband, and a baby due in July the transformation in both Madelynn and Ms. Chi has been something to behold.

Ms. Chi-McCain and Madelynn

As Madelynn walked out of this last lesson, she tried (unsuccessfully) to hold back tears knowing she had to say goodbye. 

As hard as goodbyes are for adults living this military life, they are even more difficult for the military child.

Most have heard the cliché “Grow where you are planted.”  This can be good advice for many, but for a military child it can be painful.  These little seeds do grow where they are planted, which is wherever the Army sends their family.  They grow roots and begin to bloom in what may be wonderful soil. They are then dug up (without their entire root structure like piano teachers) and replanted in another piece of land to try and grow again. 

These military seedlings are a hardy group.  They are able to be replanted and grow again.  While it can be tough, they turn into beautiful and strong flowers, able to adapt to most of what life gives them.

This is just the beginning of our goodbye blogs, it’s not meant to be sad, but to let everyone know how much they mean to us and that our goodbyes are more of a, “See ya later.