Yesterday was a great day. We took the girls and my Grams, (their great grams) to Sea World. The girls were perfect beyond my wildest expectations. Then we arrive home and C has mail waiting for her from her Preschool teacher in VA, Mrs. Kempton. We open the envelope...a DVD. C is so excited...we watch it. A slide show to music of the school year. Pictures of everyone in the school over the whole year. How awesome that the school does this for the students. We left VA in March so C missed some of her school days, so I think this is great!
We watch the whole 20 minute (or so) video..everyone loves it. C wants to watch it again in her room..okay no problem. 10 minutes I go into her room...
C- "Mommy I want to go to Virginia"
Mommy - "Why Bear?
C- "to see my friends"
Mommy - Sorry Bear, they are far away now."
Not more than 5 minutes later I hear a whimper coming from her room.....I run....
I find C wrapped in her blankets on the floor (did she fall off the bed?) I unwrap her to find her shaking and crying.
Mommy - "What's wrong baby?"
C - "I miss my friends!!!!"
Mommy - "I'm so sorry baby" as I grab her and cradle her like an infant..now I am sobbing...
Mommy - " I'm sorry baby, we can't see them right now"
C- "I want my friends!"
Mommy - "I know baby I am so sorry, we will make new friends I promise"
C- "NO! I don't want new friends, I want my friends!"
Mommy - "But baby, they are far away now"
C- "I don't want to stay here anymore, I want to go home to Virginia"
This went on for 20 minutes. Me apologizing and her telling me how much she wanted to go back to Virginia to her friends. I NEVER thought at this age she would have such deep, profound emotion about this kind of thing. All I know is that it absolutely broke my heart in a hundred pieces and I could not fix it. I cried, she cried and we held each other until we couldn't cry anymore. Being a military family has never been easy, but it has never been as hard as it was that day. Knowing now that every move is going to effect my girls in a tremendous way is heartbreaking, and even though they did not sign up for it, their father and I did. I can only hope when they are older they understand the choice we made and are proud of their fathers service and sacrifice.
Please on this Memorial Holiday, no matter what your politics, no matter what your belief.....do not forget to thank a service member or their family for their sacrifices to keep us safe. Freedom is not Free! It is by the grace of these men and woman who volunteer to protect us, that we have the freedom to do and say what we please.
12 comments:
My family will definitely pause this Memorial Day to honor all those serving in the military. My husband was an officer in the Coast Guard, and your final thoughts really resonated for me. Freedom is NOT free!
Sorry to hear that C was so upset! :( I know everyone says kids are resilient, and yes C will eventually get over it but it pains us as parents to see our kiddos in pain. Tell C we miss her.
Your girls WILL appreciate this move....one day. I know from my own experience as a military brat I am a better person today because of all the moving we have done. I am grateful!
Please thank Traves for his service! You know I mean it.
Oh thats so sweet and sad... and sensitive.
and yes, I have paused and remembered. and I even just found out my 17 year old son gave 2 dollars (alot for him) to a service man with poppies.
i was very proud of him
tracy
Poor little baby. Don't worry she'll be thankful for her father and his family's sacrifices someday as we all are today!
Sorry to hear your baby girl was so sad. As she makes new friends, it will get easier!
This Memorial Day, I'd like to thank you and your husband for the sacrifices you make to give me and my family the right and ability to live in freedom. Thank you!
We just told our C that we got orders and are moving. She's 13 and it was like setting off a grenade in the living room. Some kids just don't do well with it .... ever.
Lots of hugs to your little one.
It is gut wrenching when kids are sad like this :-( I hope she is feeling better after your talk.
And, thanks to your husband for his service to our country.
We owe our freedom to brave men like him!
I have tears in my eyes too. So sad. I can relate a little bit since my family are in NZ and I am in Japan. Everytime we leave NZ to come back here it is so hard - saying bye to my mum. It's really tough on the kids.
Thanks for giving us pause on Memorial Day.
Sorry to hear that your little one is so upset. My boys never blinked when we moved, but they were 2 and 5. Not sure if they are as sensitive!
Happy Memorial Day!!!
Thank you so much for sharing, I, Mom Stefanie, am a military wife. We have 3 children and just PCS'd. The oldest is a Jr. in high school and it was harder on him than he thought it would be. Our middle child is high functioning autistic so change does not come easy for him at all. I feel your pain and hope that it eases for C and yourself. My thoughts are with you and your family!
Mom Stefanie
It's so sad when your children are not happy. But the harsh reality is that she will eventually adjust. And the dvd that upset her today will be a cherished memory tomorrow. Wish I had more to offer.
Thank you all for your UNBELIEVABLE sacrifice! I was active duty AF way before I settled down and started having kids, but I saw first hand from families I was stationed with the hardship of the PCS. Maybe the support groups on the base for families have some suggestions on easy transitions, if not just kids that can relate to yours would help a teensy bit. Good luck on all of your endeavors and THANKS again!
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