Much Aloha

As the days of our time in Hawaii are dwindling...quickly may I add...I have been taking alot of time to think back about life 2 years ago.  I felt so angry and so resentful when we received orders to leave California and head off over the ocean so far from family.  It would be nice if I could say it happened gracefully, with a sense of adventure that I've seen in other families.  But no, with a smirk and mild blushing I will admit that there was a great deal of foot stomping, kicking and screaming (and that doesn't include the children). 

Dan was excited and itching for the adventure.  The only thing I could see in front of me was 2 long years, so far from home.  We had been "homesteading" in San Diego for so long the Navy adventure had been completely drained out of me.  It's amazing how one can forget that they are a military family and be so shocked and dismayed at the idea of moving.

My temper tantrum lasted for a long time.  God bless my poor husband.  The 4 months leading up to our move was a lot of whining and complaining, followed by another several months of sulking.  In Hawaii.  Can you imagine?

Those of you who cannot imagine, Hawaii is a gorgeous, wonderful place.  Living here is a HUGE transition.  Although it is part of the USA, there are so many things about it that make you feel like you are in a different country.  It took me a while to adjust - the culture shock, missing the family, the always the same weather! 

And here we are, only 3 months left in Hawaii (a time I counted the days for!!) and I am feeling nostalgic and sad.  We live down the street from one of the most gorgeous beaches in the entire world.  My kids have not worn real shoes in over a year.  I've eaten amazing food, seen dozens of waterfalls at a time and seen gorgeous sunsets. 

But I think the 2 most valuable ah-ha moments of all that I am leaving Hawaii with are these...

1.  My family - the 5 of us - are a family all on our own.  And although we have a very tight extended family that we will always miss, always love, always want to be with, just us 5 are enough.   My husband and kids are enough to sustain me, make me happy and enough - MORE than enough to make every moment special.

2.  We are in the Navy.  We have opportunities at our fingertips that most people dream of as they sit at their 9-5 job wasting away hours and years doing the same thing.  And though it is human nature, I think, to hunker down in the things that you know (your job, your hometown etc) adventure is found in embracing a life of change.

  So even though we are returning to California...I am doing so with a temporary mentality.  We will love every minute of being close to family and enjoying the big city life.  But we are looking to the future already and planning what kind of shenanigans can we get into next?  With fingers crossed, and knees to the ground as we seek God's plan...we're hoping for an adventure. 

We'll see what happens. 

Mahalo nui loa, Hawaii, You have taught me some valuable lessons and will always remember our time here with much Aloha.