It was wonderful to be welcomed home by three children flying into my arms and wrapping themselves around my legs as I stood waiting with my bags in front of the airport in Iquique. And then to be able to hold my husband's hand as we drove down the highway, past sandy mountains and the deep blue sea, was deeply reassuring and a balm to my weary soul.
I love my family.
The morning after I arrived home, I was awakened by a wiry little body climbing into bed with me and Owen's voice sweetly announcing that "Mommy, I really like you a lot!" These are the moments I want to remember.
And what is amazing to me is how much children seem to grow in short periods of time when one is separated from them. I was greeted quite unexpectedly by the news that one of my girls is showing some early signs of physical maturity, and suddenly I found myself discussing adolescence and puberty and discovering that Eva in particular has quite a rose-colored opinion about what becoming a teenager will mean. She longs for the day because in her eight-year old worldview being a teenager means having your own phone and your own computer and being able to go out with your friends all you want at night. Um, hellooooo ... I don't think so!
Needless to say, these past few days have been filled with quite interesting conversations and at the same time I am still processing the separation from my boys in Haiti and shedding tears over my inability to bring them home with me on this trip. I feel a little lost and as through my world has shifted on its axis somewhat. I know it is all part of the welcome home to reality and so I am facing each new day with resolve and believing that life will return to normal sometime soon!
I love my family.
The morning after I arrived home, I was awakened by a wiry little body climbing into bed with me and Owen's voice sweetly announcing that "Mommy, I really like you a lot!" These are the moments I want to remember.
And what is amazing to me is how much children seem to grow in short periods of time when one is separated from them. I was greeted quite unexpectedly by the news that one of my girls is showing some early signs of physical maturity, and suddenly I found myself discussing adolescence and puberty and discovering that Eva in particular has quite a rose-colored opinion about what becoming a teenager will mean. She longs for the day because in her eight-year old worldview being a teenager means having your own phone and your own computer and being able to go out with your friends all you want at night. Um, hellooooo ... I don't think so!
Needless to say, these past few days have been filled with quite interesting conversations and at the same time I am still processing the separation from my boys in Haiti and shedding tears over my inability to bring them home with me on this trip. I feel a little lost and as through my world has shifted on its axis somewhat. I know it is all part of the welcome home to reality and so I am facing each new day with resolve and believing that life will return to normal sometime soon!
2 comments:
Isn't that funny how 7 and 8 year olds think they know. My kids also think that when they are teenagers they can do what they want, have cell phones, computers, tv's. They sure do have a rose colored vision of what a teenager means. Keep up the good work with your kids. I look up to you. If only I could be half the mom you are. Love ya, Stacey
I just held a baby today. Mine are all so big now. Oh, I'd love to have another, but it seems having or even adopting babies is a two parent thing, and I'm the only one wishing for another baby...
But, holding this baby, I thought of you. Prayed that those baby boys would come home soon.
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