Friends and Moving

Moving as much and as far as we have in our marriage has never really been in my "Plan." But, it has happened, and I have pushed forward. I have cried. I have moved. I have found friends. I have made a new life in a new place. And I have been thankful for the support of friends and family. This last move was very different than all of our previous moves because we now have four children, and some of them are old enough to care. I can't tell you how many times I was told how quickly kids will adjust. They will be fine.

Well, it has been well over 3 months since we left Utah, and S is still having a hard time. We will often be driving and she will tell me how she misses our old house. Or we will have a play group where she is the oldest kid by a couple of years and tell me how she misses her friends. Dealing with something hard for yourself is one thing, but watching your child deal with something new and hard is another all together.

Yesterday S had a play date with her friend who is moving this week. This is the only girl within a two year span that attends our church, and since she is not is school, it is really the only friend she has close to her age so far. After the play date, I made the mistake of mentioning her friend's move. S just melted. I haven't seen her so broken hearted in a really long time. She just cried and cried. All I could do was think what a stupid thing I did in mentioning the move. I felt like the world's worst mom at that moment. She wouldn't be consoled.


I tried to get her mind off of the move by asking her what she did at her play date. I talked about how no matter how many time we, or a friend moved, she would always have her family. She seemed to like the idea of her family being her best friends, but was still pretty sad. In the end, the only thing that cheered her up was asking where she wanted to go for dinner. So we braved the pouring rain, and ate at Arby's last night.

During all of this, I tried to remind her of a conversation we had a week or so ago. I had told her about the upcoming move of this and a couple other older friends she has here. I told her that she would meet new friends when she starts school in the fall. But I also told her that she could ask Heavenly Father to send her a friend. She thought this was a good idea.

A couple of days later I overheard a conversation she was having, I think, with my mom.

"I asked Heavenly Father to send me a friend, and He said, 'Yeah.'"

I know that my prayers are heard, but I also am pretty sure that Heavenly Father has a soft spot for children. So, I pray for her, and I remind her to keep praying. And we both are on the lookout for the great friend we know is coming.