Yes, it has been forever. But that isn't going to stop me tonight. I'm angry. Maybe more of an upset than an angry. And I don't know where else to put it. So, sorry... in advance.
Let me tell you something about the military kid. You won't hear "I don't know you so you can't play" come out of their mouths. You won't. Because they know what it feels like. They know what it feels like to join a group midway through a school year, not knowing anybody. To be the new kid.
Instead you'll hear "You wanna play? You can be a good guy."
No judgement. Okay, I'm sure that some military kids do judge -- but they *do* know what it is like to be the new kid. To struggle to find somebody to play with at a function. The great thing about the military kid is that they are generally surrounded by other military kids. Those, just like themselves, who will lend a hand to the new kid. Because they know what it feels like.
But let me tell you -- despite all of the "Support our Troops" bumper stickers that you see around town, it doesn't hold true. You want to support our troops? Support their families. Support that kid who always is the new kid.
We are a military family in a non-military town. Sure, there is an Air Force base close by, but trust me... this is a non-military town. You know... the kind of town that if you didn't graduate from the local high school, never leaving the comfort of your home town... well, you aren't worth the time of the locals. Pretty hard to be an open armed community when you won't get to know anybody you haven't known since 1st grade... or somebody who married somebody you've known since 1st grade.
Now... in all fairness, it could be that the locals have had bad experiences with military families. Sure, it could happen. We have our crazies just like every other group in America. But seriously? I've now met two -- yep, that's right TWO -- non-military people in this town that didn't turn their noses up when they found out we are military.
I can handle it. Really, we're here for a year. I have friends at a distance that I can lean on for support -- folks who know what this life is like. What I can't handle is seeing the look on my kids' faces when we show up for something -- and the dreaded words happen. "Find a partner." And everybody else already knows somebody.
Ugh. I'm just going to tell myself that this will make them more sensitive to the needs of others. And I'm going to tell them to remember what it feels like -- and to reach out to that new person. But, the thing is, I don't need to tell them. They remember... and they already reach out.
I sure do love my kids...
