The End

The end of my life in Germany came last October. I was dreading and dreading that day. I wanted to live there forever. OK, maybe not living above neighbors that would wake us up at 2am with way too loud music or that would leave a cup of beer sitting on the inside part of our mailboxes. But what our life was there...

We lived in Heidelberg, a beautiful, old city. We were about an hour or so from the border to France on our west. Two hours or so south, we would be in Switzerland. Go southeast, and you would be in Austria. Go eight hours straight east and you would be in Poland.

Matt's job was a fairly easy job for him. He sang and danced for the army. He was in the USAEUR Band and Chorus. He would go all over Germany and a few other places performing. We got paid a ton of money, or at least it seemed like it to me, because he would be gone at least once a month for more than 12 hours, and we got paid extra for him being gone. Also known as TDY money. We also got extra to alleviate the exchange rate as the Euro was worth $1.20 or so. My friends and neighbors became my family. I had several women around that were always up for a trip somewhere, be it Poland to buy pottery, France to buy pottery or for me go to the grocery store and spend 100 euros on french candy and food, or just to go downtown and get some amazing German gummies.

What I also loved was the fact that we were so far away from our families, that we weren't involved in a lot of drama and problems. It was great!! I actually prefer to live far away from my parents. And from my husbands parents. The only problem is that when they do come, its for two or more weeks straight...

My daughter was also born there, both my kids had their first birthdays there, and just a lot of good times with the kids and their friends.

I love living in Europe. I don't speak German. I can say a few words, but that's it. I wish I would have been able to take a class or two. If we go again, you can be sure I will be taking classes.

The end of that time of our lives was very painful to me. I didn't want our lives there to end. And I keep hoping that when Matt is done with school that we get sent back. Some might say that you deploy more when you are in Germany. Well, Matt is going to be a Physicians Assistant. He'll be deployed no matter where we go, and I would rather be in Germany if I have to be on my own.

I have had a hard time accepting that end in my life, which is making it hard for me to learn to like the life that I have here in Texas. It is getting better, but I will be so glad when we move at the end of the year!!!!!

For more on The End, please go to Sunday Scribblings.