I was tired and cranky. I was determined. And I knew I had to make the last flight out.
The only problem? There aren’t that many direct flights to my home town of Columbus, Ohio on a Saturday evening. In fact, the only non-direct flight would get me home at 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Assuming no airport delays, canceled flights, or late connections.
My husband, Doug, told me just to leave on Sunday morning. “We’ll be fine without you. What’s another night? Why do you always have to kill yourself?”
Maybe he was right. If I left Sunday, I could still be home by lunch. I could even get some sleep. And I wouldn’t be hanging out in connecting airports on a Saturday evening.
But I couldn’t do it. I needed to get home.
Why was I so determined?
Well, there are a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I’m a mom. I hadn’t seen my kids in five days, and I missed them. Terribly. I missed my philosophical discussions with Nick (right before bed, of course) and I missed Anna’s constant hugs and affection. And, yes, I even missed Abby’s booming voice and her favorite words, “Daddy can do it.”
And while I know the kids are “fine” without me, I still couldn’t wait to see them. Plus, I missed Doug and knew he needed a break from full-time daddy duty.
The other reason I needed to get home? Twelve preschoolers were expecting me on Sunday morning. Sure, I could have arranged a substitute for my Sunday school class, but I wanted to be there. Plus, some of these kids are just getting over their own separation anxiety. They’re just getting to know me. So the last thing they need is another new face on Sunday morning.
Have you ever just known you needed to get home?
It’s Monday. And I’m back to work.
But I’m so glad to be home.
7 comments:
I understand! I never have to travel for work, but I am a home-body through and through. It's just where we "belong". I totally get having that yearning! I hope you have a wonderful week!
I feel like I always need to get home. Like you, I know everything will be fine, but it's where I feel the most comfortable - with my husband and baby girl. Glad you made it back safely!
I had so much fun at the ACFW conference last weekend. Felt like I was on a writer's high all weekend and then came the airport. My layover was unusually long (over three hours) and I'm pretty sure I slept most of it away. Hearing my kids on the phone motivated me to snap with it when I arrived. I loved seeing their faces.
Glad you made it back sound.
~ Wendy
I know that feeling well :)... even now that mine are teenagers-- well, maybe ESPECIALLY now that mine are teenagers! Hate to miss a thing.
Yes, there is something so comforting about returning home after a trip. It is that "everything seems right feeling". There's nothing like it.
Yep. Even though it's been a busy Monday, I feel at "peace" being home. And I really got behind on blogging and Twitter. It's so good to catch up.
Oh I totally know what you mean. But then I walk in the door, and 6 minutes later I'm irritated (not always...but sometimes!).
Welcome home!
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