A Life Unexpected

Although there are many people who can't imagine ever leaving their home state behind, I have become a person who can't wait to keep moving on. Calling a new place "home" every few years has become a welcomed adventure... well most of the time. Unfortunately, where we move is not really our decision...the Army does that for us. Well, they pretty much call the shots when it comes to our lives. Sound awful? I bet it does. And sometimes it is. But life is all about taking the good with the bad. And moving around the country has had much of both for our family. I have seen so much, done so much, that I never would have if life had went according to my original plan. That plan was to stay in South Carolina, meet a strapping, wealthy man and work hard molding the minds of little ones as an SC teacher. Well, we all know life never goes according to our plan. A tricky, sometimes quite annoying thing takes over.... Fate. You see, I am a true believer in those sayings "Everything happens for a reason" and "You can't control your destiny." Now, if you know me... you know I am a complete control freak. So how could I believe in fate and how in the world did I ever become an army wife!?!? Good question. My husband would say it was his strapping good looks and amazing charm. And I just let him go with that ;)

Fickle Fate.... it has brought me down a road I never imagined. A road untraveled for many. A "not-so-normal life." But what is "normal" anyway? For me, normal is having a husband who is not always there....but desperately wants to be home kissing his daughter goodnight. Normal is....living in places that seem so foreign, but searching hard for things that make it feel like home. Normal is...constantly trying to connect with new people, hoping to make meaningful and lasting friendships. Normal is...missing out on those special moments and days with your family and the people that matter the most. Moments you can never get back.

But sometimes he is home kissing her goodnight and sometimes you find the excitement of an new home you never imagined. Sometimes you find a friend who feels like you have known them forever and when you do see your loved ones, you appreciate and cherish those memories so much more.

What I'm trying to say is you should never try to fight your fate. If you let it....it can bring you so much joy and allow you to see the good, when sometimes all you can focus on is the bad. I have learned to let go of the wheel.... and follow the road that has been paved for me. And that road has brought me some amazing adventures and experiences that I didn't have planned in the first place.

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"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart."

Marcus Aurelius