I had an experience this past week that really meant a lot to me. It really opened my eyes to what great joy it is when a loved one returns home after a long absence. [It gave me insight into the prodigal son and also maybe what it will be like to cross the veil]. But this situation was not a prodigal returning but rather a hero. I'll let the pictures tell the story. I appreciate my great friends sharing this homecoming with me.
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| Waiting for family members to return from deployment in Afghanistan. The anxious excitement after not having seen your son, father, brother, Dad or Mom in a year can be almost overwhelming especially for the young ones. Loud celebratory and patriotic music blasts to the crowd. The atmosphere is electric. |
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| Miles trying to work out some of his excitement waiting for Dad. |
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| The band waiting to play for the grand entrance. |
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| The family waits almost patient. The plan gained from past experience is to let Dad come to them in the stands, so they won't get lost in the crush. |
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| Memorabilia abounds throughout the gym. |
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| Tokens of a daughter's yearning for Dad. |
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| Smiles not yet to their fullest wait in nervous excitement. |
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| The moment arrives and they march in neither looking to the left nor the right, but seeing all. The joyful sound of the welcome surely was sweet music to their ears and a great release for all the families. |
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| The last test of discipline, to see your families faces...but not yet allowed to touch them. |
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| Released at last the crush begins. |
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| Families find each other. |
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| And some try to escape to home. |
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| Can't wait for Dad to get to him so he goes to Dad. Let the loving begin, youngest to oldest. |
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| Mom can't wait her turn. |
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| And discipline breaks down and things get out of order. |
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| Finally! |
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| Trudy's biggest smile in about a...year! |
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| Finally Trudy's turn! |
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| A long turn! |
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| Finally back together again! |
This reminds me of Alma 27:16-19: "...and behold, this was a joyful meeting. Now the joy of Frederick was so great even that he was full; yea he was swallowed up to the joy of his God, even to the [near] exhausting of his strength...Now was this not exceeding joy? Behold this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly...humble seeker of happiness. Now the joy of Trudy in meeting her husband was truly great, and also the joy of Ayana, of Kyla, and of Miles, but behold their joy was not that to exceed their strength."
It was such a pleasure to be a part of this and see their love for each other. Thanks so much for inviting me to share.
i don't even quite know what to say except that this post made me cry more than any other one :) that's so cool that you got to be a part of that, dad! if i would've been there i would've bawled even if i wasn't there to meet and returning soldier...but how touching just to see the smiles and hugs and feel the love of everyone in that room. what brave and selfless men and women to give portions (and sometimes more) of their lives to serve our country. i know you're thankful to have been able to share in the experience, and i am too :)
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