Its not easy, i’ll say that much.
It is 1,000% true that when you are away from family the friends you make become family. These are people who would drop anything and everything to help me out. During the hurricane when we evacuated they made trips over to check out my house and check on the neighbors who stayed multiple times a day. Hell, Travis’ daughter (15 years old) offered to stay in my house and “stand guard” for looters until we got back. When they need something i have always made sure I took care of them and it has been ‘no questions asked’ the same from them. I have helped with saws and other OPE as well as welding, fix equipment, harvested/hauled corn and crops, repair buildings/roofs, work on trucks or trailers, pick ip kids from school or sporting events when things popped up. They have helped with equipment, helped friends of mine, lent heavy equipment/trailers at no charge, looked after my property, looked after my wife and pets, lent tools, helped when I was recovering from surgeries. It has been a very even sided exchange.
I feel like I am turning my back on them by leaving, but they do understand. They don’t like it; but they understand. Its a rare “relationship” where you know you won’t be taken advantage of and they know you won’t take advantage of them. They really are like family.
