There are many reasons I enjoy my time living in the military world, and I was reminded of a big one yesterday. Keep in mind, it has been many a year since I've "lived" military, as our last few homes have been in civilian communities, with civilian friends and relatively civilian lifestyles. As much as I love those friends, there are wonderful benefits to living on base and having your closest circle of friends understand your life.
Last night, I went to a Bunco game here on base. As PCS season is coming right up, the primary topic of conversation was moving: do you have orders, where are you going, have you scheduled your move? I explained, repeatedly, that my husband was deploying. Not one single person responded with a pity. No one asked how I was possibly going to survive. No one sympathized with stories about their husband's grueling travel schedule.
I understand why civilians respond the way they often do, and it doesn't upset me. But it is exhausting, especially when you are having the same conversation over, and over, and over again. As I drifted off to sleep, I thought about what a fun evening I had and realized how different my night would have been if I had been playing with my non-military friends. And I was thankful that, at this point in time, I am living in a military world.
