It's interesting, that's all.....

I guess sometimes, you don't realize how much you've
grown, until you see something that puts your
maturity on the forefront.

When I married my Marine, I had NO idea

what challenges I'd face without having my family nearby.

I love my family!  I hate living so far away from them!

But moving around and not always having my husband

home to help when a challenge arises has certainly

made me grow up.

No, I don't think I'm more mature/grown than my sisters

who live back home.  They have been thrown into

their own situations that have made them grow.

And they are REMARKABLE women!

I can't fathom some of the things they've been through,

coming out on the other side with beautiful battle wounds

and a stronger, victorious heart to show!

I'm saying that it's clear to me that marrying my Marine

and living this lifestyle is what it took for me to grow up.

Not being able to call my family for help when trouble arises

is something I hadn't given much thought until now.

I think for many people, moving out of your comfort

zone and into the unknown, forces independence,

which, in time, yields  maturity.

I still have so much growing up to do!

But I'm glad I can look at something that's

pretty negative (raising little ones so far from my family)

and see something so positive (growing a second wing so I can fly alone).

I will say this: as nice as it is to be able to throw on my big

girl pants and face the world, one mini-disaster at a time,

I take full advantage of the moments I can run in a corner

to cry and hide!

Just ask any of my friends/family who have been

there when one of my kids, or my younger sister, got hurt.

If there's another capable adult around, I crumble!

But if I'm the only one there, the big girl pants stay on!!!!!!