Apparently, moving is on my mind. The Good Chaplain retired two years ago, and I must admit I miss the Air Force. Also, we should be moving right about now, so no wonder I am thinking about it. Not that, after 18 moves, I want to move again.
Anyway, I heard this quote the other day.
And the reason the windshield is so large and the rearview mirror is so small is because what’s happened in your past is not near as important as what’s in your future.
Joel Osteen
So many of us, when we move, tend to dwell on the past, the last base we were at. Who hasn’t heard or said, “Well, at my last base we…” The previous post is always your favorite, isn’t it?
And we tend to look at our last base through rose-colored glasses. Everything was perfect there. We don’t think about the person who was a real terror to us. Or the hard times we had adjusting to the new climate, surroundings, cultures, or whatever. We forget that when we got to the last base, we felt just as lost as we do at the new station.
While it is good to look at where you came from, it is much more important to look at the opportunities at your new base. I always looked forward to whatever new challenges the following base had in store for me. But, then, I am a positive person.
Not that we shouldn’t look back to learn from our mistakes and recognize the growth we’ve made in the past few years. We just shouldn’t dwell on it. As I look back at the 31 years of being a military spouse, I find something positive about each place I’ve been.
- Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia — Spiritual growth
- Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska — Trying new things
- Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota — How to survive in a small house
- Vandenberg Air Force Base, California — Creating a community
- Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama — Amazing history
- Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska — Finding great friends
- Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma — Volunteering is fun
- Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii — Great neighborhood
- Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi — Hosting Thanksgiving
- Joint Base Langley-Ft. Eustis, Virginia — Working with the Army
Those are just a few positive things I found at each base. Growth and soul-searching came from each place we lived in. And although I said I loved each station, and I did, I honestly can and will say Eielson will always be my favorite.
When it’s time to move for you, remember your last base with fondness, but please look forward to the new adventures your new base holds for you as well.
Until next time,
Vicki