Here we are at our new duty station and after almost four months, I can finally look back at the whole experience and smile. It wasn’t exactly the easiest move we had ever made and it certainly was stressful at times. But, those types of situations are always the hardest while you’re actually going through them. Now that we have gotten through the roughest part and are starting to adjust, I can laugh about some of the crazy moments. It wouldn’t be a typical PCS if there weren’t a few bumps along the way.
PCSing is stressful, no matter how many times you’ve done it or how you prepare for it. This current move has been a little more challenging because we only had three weeks’ notice. Moving with a toddler and baby on the way, I thought for sure it was a recipe for an emotional breakdown. But if anyone can handle it a Marine Corps family can, right? After all, the very first piece of advice I was given as a new military spouse six years ago was “Semper Gumby”. Yep, the translation means to always be flexible. We scrambled to get everything done in two weeks, including paperwork, movers, lodging, housing, etc. So from the west coast back to the east coast, a new house and a new baby on the way, we arrived at our new duty station with optimism.
Our new house wasn’t exactly what we were used to. We have an active toddler, a newborn and two dogs. Although nice, a four level townhouse with no backyard was “inconvenient,” to say the least. With a little creative decorating we made this house a home. After all, if I have learned anything through deployments, being together is what matters the most. My husband was home and I was grateful to have a roof over our head. Ok, I admit, I shed a few tears and complained a little. Ok, a lot.
It wouldn’t be a PCS if some of our belongings didn’t end up broken or missing. It doesn’t take long to learn to always carry your valuables with you! Although it is a benefit to have the military move you, somehow your belongings are not always treated the way you would treat them. For example, I would never pack my toilet plunger with my bedroom comforter. I take this as a lesson learned to be very specific with the moving company next time and throw away the plunger before the movers come.
Now that the unpacking is over and I can breathe again. As much as I want to run back to my old house and friends right now, I know better days are ahead. My mantra during deployments and this crazy roller coaster ride called military life is, ‘this too shall pass’. The stress is just temporary. No matter how hard the day may seem, tomorrow is always a fresh start.
