Growing Up a military BRAT can have good and bad things. Traveling and living in different places is pretty cool. But not having “childhood” friends can stink.
To have friends that you have grown up with since kindergarten can be hard. Friends usually recycled about every 2 years. So it is hard to have foundational friendships.
Even if you do stay connected it can be hard. As a Military child, you learn to guard your heart and not let many people in.
But there are some people that will still impact your life. For me, that was a friend that moved into my neighborhood during 4th grade. Victoria Isabella. When I first met her she seemed very quiet and timid. But over time I realized for a 4th grader she had extreme weight on her shoulders
Life at home was not easy for Victoria Isabella. Her parents were very strict. Seeing her at the playground was very rare. She did not come outside very much to play.
Over time I found out that we shared the same birthday. I also found out that we shared deep pain from our lives. Victoria Isabella’s family got reassigned in 8th grade. We tried to keep connected over the years. We may not talk often but often I think about her and feel the pain of her childhood. She has not ever really told me about everything and that is okay. All I need to know is that my first best friend had such a hard childhood. It breaks my heart that I was not there for her. But I know I was dealing with my own pain.
Victoria Isabella will always have a place in my heart and my life. She taught me to finger crochet. Make animals out of dried glue. And that it was more important to protect my friend that to let her parents know she beat me up and threw me in a bush. LOL
Victoria Isabella. Wherever you are in life just know you will always be in my heart and in my prayers. I love you, Birthday Buddy.
To GOD Be The Glory. Take Care. Much Love.
