Coming home

arms embracing. Hugs and excited greetings.

I love homecomings. Don’t you?

A few years ago I flew home from Russia with little Jenny.

She was two at the time

no idea what was going on

how her whole world had changed with the adoption.

As the plane circled Washington DC

I could hardly wait to see my oldest.

She had been the strongest supporter of my adoption of Jenny

constantly cheering me through the lengthy process

but the separations were hard.

She on one side of the ocean

and I on the other

held together by His Love that will never let us go.

I drew Jenny closer to me as I felt the plane descending.

Just a few more minutes and I’d see her.

“I’ll be wearing a Santa hat,” she’d told me on the phone.

I closed my eyes and pictured her

dancing brown eyes,

dark curly hair.

I tried to imagine what our meeting would be like.

Seeing myself running towards her

while I held tiny Jenny.

Well, I might not run too fast with the cold I had picked up

but my joy would be overflowing, for sure,

I don’t like separations

and partings.

No, not since the time I was very young and spent months away from my family.

But coming home?

There is nothing like it.

As I mused, I suddenly felt the wheels of the plan touch the runway.

Excitement raced through me.

Soon

very soon I would hold both girls in my arms.

Minutes ticked by while the plane slowed to a stop

and we finally were able to disembark.

“Ready, Jenny?” I said looking into her eyes.

“You are just going to love your big sister.”

She stared back at me having no idea what I was saying.

Holding Jenny with one arm

I balanced my purse and carryon with the other.

Soon, I kept telling myself as I walked.

Soon and very soon.

And then I walked through the doorway and entered a huge area

With people lined all around

some cheering and calling out names

others waving their arms.

My eyes scanned the crowd

looking and looking

back and forth as my heart beat loudly.

And then I saw my sweet girl

Santa hat and all

waving her petite arms at me and a smile that lit up my world.

Tears stung the back of my eyes.

“Thank you, Lord, for bringing me home.”

Together at last.

Homecomings. Glorious gatherings that remind me of that time

when we will walk across to heaven

to be greeted by all those who have gone before.

Scanning the faces

looking hard to see the faces that are so very dear.

For now, it might seem very long.

Our longing to hold and embrace is strong.

But there’s a great day coming and I can hardly wait.

How about you?

Just imagine what it will be like…….