By Hannah Brown, age 11
“Why is making friends so hard?”
I like to tell myself that making friends is kind of like going on an adventure. You will need courage and maybe a few snacks.
I am Hannah Brown and I am a military kid. I currently live in Georgia and I am almost 11 years old. I love to craft, play outside with friends, and eat Oreos (they are my absolute favorite).
My Dad was in the Air Force before I was born, so I have always been a military kid. I have moved four times with my family. We just moved a year ago from Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. It was a terrible move because I had to leave some of my best friends behind.
Talia, Aurea, and I did everything together. We had sleepovers where we could not stop giggling. We played outside for hours making up fun games and building things out of sticks. One time we built a huge tepee covered with vines and beautiful flowers. Whenever we got together, it was always an exciting expedition.
However, making new friends is hard. When you first move, you don’t know anyone. There is no one that you can voyage out into the wilderness with. On the other hand, even if you do know someone you haven’t had the time to get to know them very well. Often times it’s scary to start all over again. I know it was hard for me.
One day, while my Mom and Dad unpacked a mountain of boxes, I decided to go to the neighborhood park. After a few minutes, two girls around my age came to play. Sarah, who turned out to live on my street, introduced herself and asked me my name. First, I was nervous. What if she didn’t like me? What if I said something embarrassing? These questions and more seemed to hang in the air. But at the new possibility of a new friend, I smiled and said “Hi, I’m Hannah!”
We’ve been at our new base for almost a year and Sarah is now one of my best friends. I have learned that sometimes being brave and taking a chance on someone new can be worth it. It can be the greatest adventure. Now, I have yet another friend who I can trust. I have someone else to talk to and laugh with.
To Talia, Aurea, and Sarah: Thank you for being my friend and sharing in this great adventure of being a military kid.
If you are a military kid and feel lonely or frustrated, don’t give up. You deserve friends too!
Here’s my advice:
Ask your parents to introduce you to their friend’s children. I met Talia and Aurea because our moms are best friends. There is nothing better than being friends with families.
Spend more quality time with new friends. Getting to know someone takes time and effort. Share the things that you like or dislike. Learn about each other.
Finally, be brave! You are worth knowing. All of us, as military children, have one thing in common. We all need a friend. Most likely, we have all had to leave a life we loved just to start all over again. You are not alone! So, walk up to someone new and try to make a friend.
Overcoming the fear of making friends can be hard, but it is not impossible. This military life does bring challenges, but we are more than conquerors.
Hannah Brown is a happy homeschooler, big sister, and military missionary kid. She loves to read “Dork Diaries” by Rachel Renee’ Russell and spends her days curled up on the couch with a good book. Hannah wants to grow up to be a professional writer who writes stories of hope and courage.
