It is only 38 days before we leave Japan. The time goes by fast these last few days. Even the dread of conducting AP Testing does not slow it down.
It is sometimes hard to think of our time being almost over here in Japan. We have lived here for 8 of the last 12 years. It has, like it or not, become home to us. My children know more of Japanese culture than they do American culture. We have friends that have become family. It is heart breaking to know we will leave Sobo behind. Chao lei and Jun have not quite understood the idea that she is not going with us and we are not returning.
They will also not be prepared for Mother’s and Father’s visit on the week of the 6th will be the last one for a very long time. Not that it will be the last one forever of course but it will be the last one until we return to CONUS, hopefully in 2 or three years.
My children are facing drastic changes to what is their “normal.” They will live someplace new. They will change friends. They will change weather, scenery, schedules, and routines. They will have to adapt to another culture. That is a lot of change we are asking if them. If moving is such a stressor for adults, imagine what it is for children.
In the interest of preparing them for this move, we have spent much time in conversations about it. We have done our best to answer what seems like a million questions and address just as many of their concerns. We have spent hours researching our new area focusing on parks and things to do on base as well as off. The children have their own bucket list of places to see and things to do as soon as we arrive.
I do not worry of how Chao lei and Jun will do with this move. They will recover well providing Jared and I pay attention to the little things to us but giant things to them that are sure to arise. When Jun realizes we are leaving Sobo behind permanently for instance. I see much consoling ahead.
We will do as all military families do. We will make do, overcome, adapt. It is all we can do.
Moving is hard for kids, yes, but looking back on my own years as a military child, I am astonished at all my mother (father, too, but mostly my mother) had to do to pack up and move a family with three young kids every few years. So much was logistics--especially before the internet made everything connected--but also all the emotional work of handling three children and their own emotional processing. I only did it a couple of times when my kids were mostly all very young, and so it was easier. I can't imagine doing it over and over again like she did. And like you do. All military spouses should get medals for their own sort of bravery. Good luck to all of you.
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