Two weeks ago my close friend, Chareyl, had her husband (who is a pilot) get me a buddy pass to come home to show off Lila and spend some time with family. It was strange but also very normal to suddenly be back home after 10 months. My Utah mountains are so beautiful. I had a great time laughing with friends, sisters, nephews, nieces, shopping at my old haunts (ie Down East), etc. I kept thinking how nice it felt to be home and a sadness was in my heart because it was fall and General Conference and I was home but my husband and four other children were far away in some drought-y, brown, flat land in a small rented home.
The weekend was very fun and enjoyable and turned out to be extra special because I was able to be with my beautiful sister, Nancy, to see her sixth child, son Anders, be born. I felt so happy to be there. And I took some pretty awesome pictures too.
Coming home was a bit hectic. I was trying to get on an 8:30pm flight which had 22 empty seats. But I didn't make it on! Who has ever heard of having 35 stand by passengers? It was crazy. My sweet mother-in-law came to pick me back up after dropping me off several hours earlier. I'd checked our bag so had to stop and buy some more formula for Lila. We slept in our same clothes and then wore them home the next morning. I felt tired and a little gross. We found the van and as I drove along I felt very emotional. I didn't recognize any of the roads (I have rarely been in the DFW area), the air was hot, the ground was burnt. Nothing felt right and I had a small amount of bitterness in my throat.
Luckily it only took a few minutes for me to pull into the driveway, kiss my husband, hear Finn calling to get up from his nap, and a few other faces as they came running to me when I picked them up from school for me to repent. I immediately felt humbled and embarrassed for being so pouty and ungrateful. I do miss Utah and my extended family. But wherever these people are is HOME to me.
4 comments:
You've described so well how I feel so often! But, in the end, we are so blessed! I'm glad you got to go home and enjoy your family! And, that sweet Anders! :)
so sweet!!!!!
So well put Shan, I left my home in Oregon 26 years ago, I still love going home and visiting my extended family and miss them when it has been a while, but there is no place like home when it means being with your children and husband...Love you so much and feel grateful that I was able to see you even for just a minute or two. Looking forward to seeing you in December!
Shannon you are so great with words. I would love (need) to talk to you. Call me when you get a moment.
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