Nostalgic

I've been looking though some of my old pictures, trying to determine whether we looked happier when I was in Knoxville or here. Kinda stupid huh?

I guess its natural to start getting nostalgic before you leave a place. Its not like our time in Norfolk has been a walk in the park. The work has been draining (not that I'd really have much to compare it to). Hampton Roads as a region leaves a good bit to be desired. The public psyche here is so saturated by the military that it kinda takes away from any glamour that "being in the Navy" had to begin with.

Of course that said, as I look back on our time here, its easy to see that Norfolk will always remain a critical part in the fabric of our lives. My first real job was here; my first house was here; my daughter was born here. I try to remember what it was like to leave Shelbyville...to leave Martin...to leave Knoxville...and nothing seems to really compare. I had incredible friends in all those places - in fact, many of the people who are and remain my best friends to this day were from those places, and some still are. And I certainly enjoyed the actual locations of those places more...

But leaving Norfolk is different. If I had to put my finger on it, I guess I'd have to say its the number and quality of the relationship's we've built here that make the biggest difference. Thats not to say I've not made true, deep friends elsewhere, but there's just something different about everyone here. Its kinda like family.

Again though, at this point most of our friends have come and gone, or are at least about to be gone. Save one set of friends who truly call Norfolk home, all the people I've known and loved here will be gone within the next 2 years, and most have already left. That may make leaving easier on one level, but it sure makes catching up with them later in life all the more difficult.

Then there's the whole fact about being used to a place. As much as I hate the traffic, the congestion, the construction, the commute, and everything else about the actual region, at least I know the place. Want Mexican food? I know just the place. A great steak? Plenty of options. Best beach? Stick with me; I've got you covered. Could it be true - might I actually miss this place, or I'm I suffering from some stange form of the Stockholm Syndrome?

I think the answer is that I won't miss Norfolk, but I'll miss my time in Norfolk. It was a good time in our lives, despite all the struggle. One good thing about moving and the Navy is that PSC'ing really provides a clear new chapter to life. I guess its about to be time to turn the page yet again.

Unfortunately for us, the next chapter is written in a foreign language...

- pac