LUCILLE PITTARD

Bloom where you’re planted. Did you know there is depth in those four little words? Believing in them can mean the difference between thriving, not just surviving, when finding yourself in a new duty station. So says this Army Wife, one with more than 20 moves during 30 years married to my active duty Soldier.

While I’m an introvert by nature, I’ve learned how to put myself out there in order to make connections that can lead to relationships for a season or tour of duty. If I’m fortunate, friendships for a lifetime are made. It’s the latter that I treasure as I’ve been blessed to have a core group of girlfriends,

6, whose ages span 20 years. We reside in multiple states but will think nothing of hopping on a plane for one another should a need arise, both in celebratory and sad ones.

My late mother was a Japanese war bride. One of the ideals she instilled in me was to be independent. As someone who faced hardships in a country not always willing to embrace her, she knew she didn’t want her children to have to endure the same. Did my mother lay the groundwork for that independence? I’m still determining. Instead, I observed, always keeping in the back of my mind to figure out what to do for myself. Asking questions was at the forefront of “How do I do this?” not “Will you do it for me?” I look for like-minded women. Confident women only make me stronger.

After so many years of the military being caught up in a war in Iraq and Afghanistan, resilience became another skill set (mental, physical, emotional) I learned to adopt. If I didn’t, I’d have surely become one big puddle of a mess. Girlfriends helped there, too.

There are many ways to build relationships. Getting involved w/ a positive attitude is first and foremost. Your willingness to work towards a common goal is another. Activities can be found at the unit level, involvement in a church, your children’s school, sports functions, or even the gym. Each can lead to building a personal community. Taking classes to better yourself can be helpful twofold: you’re learning while also gaining confidence and making connections w/ others again. Start a book club, join a craft group, and organize a cooking night for meals prepped in bulk to freeze. The opportunities are endless. But it starts with you. You’re only limited by your imagination and your willingness to put YOURSELF out there.

I believe the saying “It takes a village” is rooted in truth. However, we must all be willing to be builders and contribute to our community’s well-being. The reward is just that, rewarding!