83 - 83Shares
Well, here we go on our adventure of moving from Hawaii to Germany. I’m taking the semester off from grad school, and I’m kinda bummed about it. But right now I need to focus on getting my family moved 7,595 miles away. Munich, Germany is the closest major city to where we will live and we ran into this sign yesterday… so we had to take a photo!
I want to share with you a conversation I had with my three year old son a few days ago. It’s verbatim – I wrote it down right after it happened, because I never want to forget how sweet he was. Maybe I should have hidden my emotion and fear from him, shielding him from the difficult side of uprooting our family. Maybe I shouldn’t let him see me cry, but I’m not big on hiding the truth, and I think it’s ok for my son to see occasional sadness because that’s real life, you guys!
Me: (crying with my face in a pillow)
Son: Why are you sad?
Me: I don’t want to move again…
Son: But it will be so much fun!
Me: There’s just so much to do (more crying)
Son: Don’t be sad. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be sad, mama.
So, although I love it here in Hawaii, off we go to the other side of the world, 12 time zones away. The movers come soon, flights are booked, and I’ve started saying my goodbyes. Yes it is sad, but it will also be wonderful. Starting a new adventure with my family – all of us together and healthy.
83 - 83Shares
I think having a good cry is all part of the process :) at least it is for me – I never did the math on how many miles it was from NC to Okinawa, but it’s far – just like you – and it means you’ll no longer be with people you love which is what makes it so bittersweet. But speaking from the other end of things, it was AMAZING to arrive, and begin taking everything in, I think abroad people are welcoming in such a different way because they all know what it’s like to land in a foreign country far from everything familiar. Now that we’ve done it, I would love another OCONUS posting!
Jamie, this post is so heartfelt and your son sounds like such a sweetheart! I moved from California to Berlin 6 months ago, so I think I know a bit of what you’re going through.
You’re in for a special treat, though. To be honest, I miss the California sun, but Germany will also be offering you many great things :) How is your German? Maybe we can start practicing with each other by writing comments in German whenever you’re comfortable!
Viel glück und viel Spaß!
Awww your son sounds like such a sweetheart! And crying is not always a bad thing! Sometimes a good cry is just what you need. Good luck on your new adventure!