Good-byes

In the fall of 2011 I went to have lunch with my son at school.

My son, Ryan, is allergic to peanuts.  At Ramstein schools, through second grade, kids with allergies sit at their own table in the lunch room.  It’s an extra safeguard for the little people; I think it’s smart.

So I popped into Ryan’s school that day and went to meet him at his lunchroom.  I discovered that day that the allergy kids can have a friend sit with them at their allergy-kids table.

There was a young lady eating with Ryan.  I introduced myself; I learned that her name was Juliette.

Juliette was outspoken and friendly.  I noticed and commented to both of them about what a wonderful vocabulary Ryan’s friend Juliette had.

During that year, Ryan and Juliette were the best of friends.  Good kids.  And during many class visits, and a few play dates, my wife and I met Juliette’s parents.  Even though we weren’t–couldn’t be–close buddies like Juliette and Ryan, we came to know and enjoy their whole family.  They are, simply, really good people: the kind of family it’s impossible not to like.

Well, we enjoyed some food and conversation with Juliette’s family last night until almost 10pm–pretty late for the Hopkins on a school night–but it was worth it.

You see, Juliette’s family is in the military, like we are, and it’s their time to move on to another assignment.  They aren’t moving across town; they are moving halfway around the world.

They aren’t the first friends we’ve watched go; they won’t be the last.  You might think that we would get used to it, and maybe some people do, but I don’t.  For me, it’s tough every single time, which is pretty much every year.

The worst part is watching my children go through it.  Many tears fall in my house when we tell people good-bye, as they leave, or as we leave.  My kids hug friends and they promise to keep in touch.  And sometimes they do, even though it’s so hard to maintain those childhood friendships over immense distances when you’re just a little kid.

So I find myself in a strange mood thinking about it all.  My oldest daughter has friends moving away next month.  Several kids from my youngest daughter’s class won’t be back next year.  It’s part of being a military child and it’s not easy.

To all you military families out there…thank you.  Thanks for what you do every day, defending our beliefs, of course.  But thank you also for living such a crazy nomadic life…thank you for enduring too many good-byes.

Juliette and Family – Thanks for being a special part of our lives!