Courage is a big part of my life because of my family’s commitment to the military. I have been privileged to new experiences in the military. Some of those experiences have been worthwhile, while others left me in temporary states of fear. I have to be courageous because it is hard to move away from friends and my home. I’m a military child and I wear it proudly. However, there was one time when I moved to a base and felt shy because I did not know anyone. Then, I met a good friend who turned into my best friend. We played together in the community and shared so many other great experiences. I dreaded the day when she told me she was moving.I was in a state of loneliness and fear.

Leaving my friends is hard because sometimes they are really close friends, and the change impacts my day to day interactions. It was only courage that supported me in adapting to my new home and environment. Starting over is not easy. People think jumping off airplanes and climbing the highest mountain is courageous. They need to try being a military child. I wear courage proudly.