Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Welcome Home

I saw something beautiful today at Little Man's preschool.  As I was picking him up, I noticed that there was a mom greeting her little boy.  I didn't think anything of it until I noticed Mrs. J. taking a picture.
 
Huh?
 
So I look closer at the mom and I notice that she's wearing desert BDU's.  Mrs. J. said to me, "She just got home today, just now in fact."
 
This cute little blonde boy, one of Little Man's classmates, is seeing his mom for the first time in a long time.  The little boy's twin sister didn't know yet.  She was still washing her hands in the bathroom.  I never saw the boy's expression when he noticed his mom there, but I can tell you that he didn't leave her embrace.  She crouched there with her arms wrapped around him whispering things only he could hear.
 
Then his sister came out of the bathroom.
 
You know how young children, older two's specifically, sometimes take a few seconds to register what they're seeing?  It's like you can watch their thought process in slow motion across their little faces.  This was her reaction.  She stared across the room at her mom then recognition flashed across her face.
 
Then her face completely changed and it glowed.  She excitedly tip-toe walked to her mom and wrapped herself around her, sharing the space with her brother as they've done all their lives.
 
Believe it or not, I never saw a tear from the mom or the dad, standing quietly to the side.  It was almost like they were in their own little world completely oblivious to all of us outsiders.  But I do believe that everyone else in the room got a little choked up.  I couldn't stop smiling.  See, I've been a part of that kind of homecoming before but to watch it from the outside, it truly is a sight to behold.
 
Welcome home.
 
 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful homecoming that must have been to witness. Like you, I'd be teary eyed, too.

Kool Aid said...

Hi Barbara,
I think one would have to be heartless to not be touched in some way.

Michaela said...

I noticed she was in her desert gear and realized she must have just been coming home for the first time. Welcome home, mommy.

And I don't know about you, but I cannot WAIT for our homecoming. We're going to meet the plane for the first time. :)

Kool Aid said...

It'll be so cool, won't it??

Unknown said...

I actually felt a tear in my eyes and a cold shiver up my spine reading that.

Really, it is those sorts of moments when I go home and give my children an extra large hug and give thanks to all those people who are prepared to do that for us.

There is nothing more beautiful than a bond between a child and their parent and to see it acted out must have been so heartwarming.

Kool Aid said...

It really was amazing. Thanks for the kind words because I really wasn't sure I was describing it well enough.

Julie said...

That's just too moving for words. My throat is tight...

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful moment to witness. I have tears just reading it. Every time I see those stories on the news they make me cry. You described it very well.