I don't NEED you anymore

Staying overseas and being able to speak English has been an exciting change. I get the European/British life style, travel opportunities and overseas pay and I don’t have to worry about miscommunication with the local baker, shop keeper or landlord. There is however one issue that I am having trouble accepting; it’s being so close to Germany without being in Germany! I have most of the life components that I did in Germany but now I live in England. I still do most of my shopping at the base BX, I still buy my groceries at the commissary, I still have a PCM (Primary Care Manager) at a base hospital, and I still have access to AFN (American Forces Network.)

I said access because we were lucky enough to let a home that came with 2 satellite dishes, one for British TV and the other for AFN. I have the choice to switch between them whenever I want. Dave almost always watches British satellite but I like to watch my good old AFN, not for the strange and boring commercials but for the classic American TV shows and news. It’s the only thing I had for 4 years; I have so many memories attached to it. It feels almost comfortable. This might be gibberish to a person who hasn’t lived overseas military style but when I don’t tune in to AFN for a while I almost feel like I am neglecting it. Like I don’t NEED it anymore, that is serves no purpose for me and my family like it did in Germany. Childish I know. There were so many firsts made in Germany and it’s hard not to compare this new base and life to our old one, and watching AFN doesn't make it any easier when "REPORTING FROM RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, GERMNAY" is said after every military news report. I only have 3 years here and the time will go by fast, I don’t want to waste away these precious moments so AFN I’m sorry to say I don’t NEED you anymore but I still want you.