Even Vines Have Roots

I appreciate the sentiment that military kids are like dandelions, vines, or whatever the "hardy plant that blooms wherever it is planted" reference that people are using as of today. And for many military kids, that sentiment is very true.

But it wasn't for mine.

And I had no idea until we parted ways with Army.

Turns out, my kids are trees.

Fundamentally, trees are meant to grow and flourish in *one* spot. When you plant a tree, you account for the potential size of the tree and you plant it where it has the proper space to grow. You make sure the soil/drainage is appropriate for the tree. And you watch it over the years develop into a hardy, strong force of nature that will eventually provide shade to the weary, shelter to those in need and a visual indicator of the ever changing seasons of life.

Prior to parting ways with Army, we'd find ourselves planting our "trees" wherever Army sent us, and our "trees" would have to acclimate to their new "soil". And it felt like as soon as they started to bloom and grow, Army would say it was time to dig them up, and transplant them to new "soil". And start the whole process all over again.    

My kids needed a well established root system to bloom and thrive.

Their growth rate with roots has been incredible. They've developed into these completely different trees as they've had the opportunity to grow and thrive in one location. They've come into their own personalities and interests as they've enjoyed our new found stability. They've learned to manage long-term relationships face to face every day. They've discovered that friendships ebb and flow when there isn't an impending move on either side. They're learning who they are without the hinderance of  their parent's employer dictating their life.

And yes, their time without a root system taught them to be resilient, gave them experiences that very few kids have also had, and they lived with all different kinds of cultures.

A recent blog post referred to military kids as being vines who are far reaching, not in need of roots.

But even vines have roots.

6 years ago today, The Husband was officially done with Army.

It has taken 6 years for all of us to finally relax.

It has taken 6 years for all of us to figure out how to live with each other.

It has taken 6 years for all of us to recognize the impact that Army had on us.

It has taken 6 years for all of us to process the impact that Army had on all of us.

It has taken 6 years for all of us to figure out who we really are without Army.

It has taken 6 years for all of us to discover that we are who we can be.

6 years.

I'm so glad we had our time with Army.

But with every year that passes, I'm more relieved we parted ways with Army.