Goodbyes
We’ve been in the preparation stage of exiting the army for about 8 months now, and here we are, finally coming down to the wire. All the decisions, all the prayers, all the worry and peace and questions. But here we are, and there’s no turning back. David has a few months left on his contract, but begins his terminal leave in just a few weeks (translation for you civilians: he will begin to use all of his saved vacation days) and we’re heading home to Oregon. Four of the kids and I will head out early (in just a couple of days!) to pave the way and find a place to settle – so we are packing, purging, and processing through all sorts of goodbyes.
Hello, Emotion.
This corner of Oklahoma has been home to me for the longest stretch of time since I moved out of my parent’s house 15 years ago, and the longest home base David and I have shared since marriage in 2002. David and I have lived in 7 states, 2 countries (3 if you count his deployment), and 10 houses in the 13+ years we’ve been married.
The last 4 years we have lived right here, in a home on a military base facing a freeway, in a little town which has grown to claim a Target (seriously, that was a happy day), surrounded by landscape held sacred to Native Americans for generations – a land that I felt privileged to take into my heart.
Isn’t that a lot to love?
These past 4 years in Oklahoma and past 5+ in the military have been such a gift. It’s been a wild and crazy adventure that has taken us through our happiest and hardest times, has given us our closest friends, has welded our hearts to people and places we otherwise would never have known. Even though we are moving “home,” I have to say this might just be the hardest of all the goodbyes we’ve said.
This has to be the saddest and the same time the most beautiful goodbye ever.
Sad because I never got to share these amazing trips into the Refuge with you and the family.
Beautiful because of the great reminder of the beauty God has poured out on Southwest Oklahoma if you just look for it.
Harmony, you and yours have blessed me beyond measure and I will always treasure the sight of the family coming down the aisle on Sunday morning at church.
I’m so grateful for Facebook and your Blog so I get to continue following you.
Vaya Con Dios my young friend!
It’s beautiful beyond words, that picture walk, just amazing.
I am going to add your family to my prayer list.
Oh, our strong, courageous daughter. Oklahoma and the Wichitas are now a part of your family DNA~ I am so thankful for the beauty that engrained itself into your heart, when at first there seemed like little to be found. Your children group UP here in this beautiful place, YOU grew in this beautiful place, and all are richer for it. The Lord was faithful as I pleaded with Him for beauty for you, for friends for you. Thank you for sharing your heart and for taking us on this photographic journey.
And oh, transitions. Change. What a privilege really, change can be. And as I prayed for beauty, for peace, for friends, for provision when you first moved to Oklahoma, I will continue to do so, as you move back home to Oregon. Oh, the miracles He has in store! Peace beyond understanding ~ part of His plan for you. He will cover your and David’s hearts, and the hearts of each precious child in the days ahead.
You are brave, wise, steadfast, determined~ with a heart joy from a Source that you know so well. I love you so much, Harmony! You have orchestrated the packing, the planning, the saying goodbyes for not just you and David, but for each precious child, with those who are dear to your heart, to places that are dear to your heart. What a gift the past 5 years have been!
As I write these words my dear Harmony, my mind, heart, and spirit are flooded with the words from Isaiah 43:19 which says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Blessings to each of you from the Source of Peace and Everything We Need…in the days ahead! You are so loved.
Lovely, said only as a mother and grandmother could say it!
We will miss this sweet family so, but glad they’ll be close by you, as only a Loving Father would plan it.