One of the best parts about travel and one of the worst parts about travel is coming home. I walk down that sloped walkway and turn the corner, groaning at the length of the line of American citizens being steered to one immigration kiosk or another. I wait patiently, knowing that any complaints or rolled eyes could earn me the type of inspection that will most assuredly make me miss my connecting flight.
Finally, I step up to the window and a rather stern looking gentleman asks me for my passport, inquires about the length of my travels, the reason for my trip, and passes my documents through his special machine. He glances up at me once or twice, hands my passport back to me, and says those words that always make me smile:
"Welcome home."
Every single time, no matter how deep the scowl on his face, no matter how few times he has looked up at me, whenever that man (and it always is a man) says those words, I feel a shudder of happiness roll down my spine.
"Welcome home."
No matter where I've gone, what I've done, what I've bought, how fearful I've been, no matter who I've seen, what danger I've endured, no matter how heavy my suitcase or my heart, those words remind me that once again I have have made it back to my homeland safely. Once again, I have overcome. Once again, I have photos to share, stories to tell, journal pages to complete, and gratitude to express.
"Welcome home."
On this Friday morning, I ask myself, to whom do I need to offer that same greeting? Who needs to be reminded that they too have survived, endured hardship, met with and overcome obstacles, and escaped from snares and troubles? Who needs to be reminded that, even if they aren't done with their obstacles and troubles, even if they are planning to walk through some of the mine fields of life, even as they struggle with the deep darkness that can sometimes befall us on this life journey, even then, perhaps especially then, those dear loved ones of mine, you, need to be looked at, listened to, and welcomed home.
I'm not inspecting passports.
I'm not asking for details.
It's none of my business.
But know this, remember this, do not ever forget this:
no matter what,
no matter what,
no matter what,
"Welcome home."
2 comments:
I needed this today.
Thank you. :)
I'm glad it spoke to you, Lisa. I confess that you were on my mind as I wrote it.
Traveling mercies to you, my adventurous friend.
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