Firsts and Lasts

Recently my life has taken some turns and it's now much different than it was a mere two months ago. For better or worse, I made my decision and I'm sticking with it. So far, it's for the better...most of the time. As one of my instructors tells us: Hunt for the Good Stuff, and I'm always able to find it, so that helps.
Anyway...July 13th I reported for Active Duty in the United States Army as a social worker. Crazy huh. Some people may be surprised, but most probably aren't. It's very different. Working for the federal government at the VA for the last 4 years helped prepare me very well for the Army administration and way of life though.
Since mid-July I have been stuck (and I mean stuck because I think I'd rather be any other place in the country) in San Antonio for BOLC training - learning how to be a soldier and how to be an officer. The information is overwhelming and the training can be frustrating at times. Some days I think..."I CHOSE to do this..." but at the end of the day, I'm glad I'm living out this dream and calling.
July (and continuing) was a month of firsts and lasts, as comes with any changes and fresh beginnings.
I think the weirdest thing was to watch my belongings get pulled away and me not have access to them for months - and I just hope they arrive in Kansas as promised me. Driving out of Lennox for the last time as a resident was very weird...

and I won't lie...a tear was shed - weird huh? I'll miss parking in the middle of the street.

It's been a great home and a great small town to grow up in. Sadly, it won't be home anymore now that the last Crabtree has left town.
The prior weeks were filled with visiting friends and tanning at Wild Water West. I hate goodbyes, but I still didn't get to see everyone I had hoped before leaving.
My wonderful cousin made the trek from Iowa all the way to Corpus Christi and back to San Antonio with me. We had a great time but even that had to end. Watching her walk away to the airport terminal caused more tears to fall...but I'd never tell her that. (Good thing she's at basic training right now too.) I think the drive back to the Hilton (yes, I stayed in the Hilton for Army training for my first two weeks) was the first time that my decision and the effects to come really hit me. Still confident in my decision, I felt alone.
Training has been training. Death by PowerPoint. Some hands on. Physical training. Food less than par.
On the upside, I've met fantastic people that I pray stay in my life for years to come. I have to get up so early every morning that I'm able to see and appreciate the sunrise. We're also up late enough to put the sun to bed. God is good and he makes much beauty. I have a good group of friends that I can count on to go to church with me every week. We have fun and are experiencing new things together - life "tubing" in Texas, Sea World, the Magic Time Machine, numerous Mexican restaurants with "best in town" margaritas and lots of Texas Two-Stepping.
The lasts can be sad but the firsts are new and exciting. Nothing can replace the previous experiences I've had, but they sure can be supplemented...and I have plenty of pictures and friends to look back with and laugh.