(Photo by Camila Carrillo/Sullivans Elementary School)
What it means to be a military child to me is that we make a lot of big sacrifices! If you do not know what we mean, check it out! We are different from other nonmilitary kids because they most probably do not have to say goodbye to their loved ones multiple times over the course of the years. This is what stands out to me as the most heartbreaking thing we have to go through, and sometimes it makes me feel very sad.
I have moved with my family five times before turning ten years old. That is more times than the average 10-year-old, except for my fellow military friends, of course. Imagine that with every move, we have to say goodbye to our neighbors, friends, schools, and all we knew to start all over again.
I can say that being a military child has also provided me with the opportunity to learn new cultures, visit multiple countries, and embark on adventures that have been fun and memorable. My favorite so far has been being able to experience the Christmas markets in Europe and, more recently, going to Guam, where my mom and dad got married and lived during their first years together, and where my dad served his first years in the Navy.
Living in a military family feels like a never-ending roller coaster—one that makes you scared, excited, joyful, and weary all at the same time. It feels like living on an ongoing adventure, with all the certainties and uncertainties that make you appreciate all the moments in front of you, as they feel like they are flying by.
(Photo by Camila Carrillo/Sullivans Elementary School)
