I really do LOVE the adventurous life that the military provides. Mostly, I love learning about other people. I think I really am a voyeur. No, I'm not peeking in your windows, but don't let me into your house unless you are OK with me looking through your scrapbooks, your library and your music collection. I love things like "This American Life" on Public Radio, or E! True Hollywood Stories (even though I really, mostly could NOT care less about celebrity, I am interested from a real-life, human-interest perspective). I'm especially, hopelessly captivated by Cinderella stories, especially when they belong to people I know.
I don't know how it is possible to be sailing around on cloud nine, while simultaneously feeling like climbing into the fetal position under the covers, but here I am. I am about to close the door on one of the most amazing experiences I've had in my life.
The high point was Monday, during graduation, watching 15 Sailors and 1 former Marine receive their Associate Degrees (to add to the 19 that received diplomas in June). The low point is this afternoon, saying goodbye to the people I've worked with the past 2 years. Even though we only "work together" over the phone, through email and conference calls and in person 1-2 times a year, I still have grown so close to these people. They are wonderful. Even though I am so excited about Japan (and over the moon to be back on the same landmass as Cliff) it is SO bittersweet. Yes, we will stay in contact, but it just won't be the same as being in "the trenches" as a Site Director. Even though it was part time, I still felt fulfilled "full time" having a part to play in helping service members down the path of their educational journey (could that sound any sappier?...but it is true!). I wish I would have had someone like me to hold me by the hand and walk me through the process like this. Maybe it would not have taken 20 years for me to get a degree!? (Seriously...high school: Class of '88...College: Class of '08. Hmmm.)
I'm playing the images of yesterday and today over and over in my mind....
Watching each individual crossing the stage at graduation (reflecting on all they did or sacrificed to reach this goal): Cloud Nine!
Replaying "closing the door" today, as I sent the official party back to Indiana: Where's my blankie?
What really bites is that over the next 6 days, I'm going to do this over and over again, as I say goodbye after goodbye. I'm not entirely sure I'm going to survive this. My husband is promising me that from the moment I step off the plane, it will be worth it. I'm holding onto that promise, even as I think there can't possibly be any more tears inside me. I'm also trying to guess what that "open window" will be. I have some ideas...
