It's Hard to Say Goodbye

This is the time of year that our ward starts to deflate.  All of the students that have been attending the various schools on the Navy Base, are finishing up and leaving in the next few weeks.  It is a very bittersweet time.  We watch the young naval officers leave ready to go out into the world to make it a safer place.  On occasion we get to know their families.  It is hard to see them go.  I get so attached to so many of them that it is like losing family.  The only thing is that since the Newport Naval Base houses so many of the schools, on occasion we see some of them again and that is pure joy.  This is also the time of the military transfers so our families that are up for new duty stations are leaving.  That is hard too.  So for the next few months - except for the influx of military students that are  here for short courses - our ward will have the numbers of a branch.  It happens every year.  We will miss the families and students that leave.  Those that come and immerse themselves deeply in the ward (and most do) will be remembered with fondness and will always be a part of the Newport Ward.