Oops. my bad....
I offer my sincere apologies to the blog-chain members of Christian Writers. I was unplugged for the weekend and it occurred to me I was suppose to do something. That something was participating in September's chain and my day was Labor Day, September 5.
"Let me see that baby!" were the first words my wife and I heard as we came home for the first time with our daughter. She was a bright and gurgly six-month old and we were arriving home for her first Christmas with the family.
It wasn't fun traveling at Christmas time with a family in tow. It was 40 below. We had lots of luggage and a baby to check through and carry on. There was a delay while the plane was de-iced. That made us late for our connecting flight to Sault Ste. Marie. The airline was ice enough to hold the flight long enough for use to get on.
It was quite interesting racing through the airport 20 some odd gates to get to our plane. It had already been boarded and the attendant was waiting for us. She grabbed some of our stuff and escorted us out to the plane. It wasn't a nice comfortable jet, but a turbo prop that carried about 30 passengers.
Well, almost all of us got on. Our luggage didn't make it until the next day.
We came through the gates and before we could say anything, my parents had ripped baby Kimberly out of our arms and were awing and oohing over her. It was only after a few minutes had passed that they realized we were there too.
Well, Christmas came off well, We collected our luggage. Two sets of grandparents spoiled our daughter. Two Christmas dinners to chow down on. And the discovery our family would soon grow again. A bet that earned me a chinese dinner.
It was at that point we started to discuss the idea of moving back home. When there was just the two of us it was more important to be together, to get our careers off the ground, make our place together. But with children to consider, we had to weigh that against what would be best for our family. We decided thqt it was more important for our children to get to know their roots. Shortly after our visit home we decided to move back.
In our Christian walk, It also important have a place we call home. A local Assembly where we can grow and exercise our gifts. A place where we can fellowship and worship with like minded people. A place to put down roots. A place to come home to.
You can follow the chain by clicking on the link to the right. The next couple of bloggers are;
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I know, traveling can be a hassle, especially plane flights in the past 10 years. We usually drove hundreds of miles by car, but it also has its wish-we-weren't-here moments. But the destination with our grandparents and other close relatives was worth the trip.
ReplyDelete~ VT
Great story, Steve; thanks for sharing it. It's good to know I'm not the only nomad who's boomeranged back home. In my case, I moved from Massachusetts back to Mississippi to please my parents, but I'm glad I did. Otherwise, I would have missed out on a lot of family events.
ReplyDeleteAs a grandmother I can relate to your parents. I'm sure they were thrilled when you move back. Great story!
ReplyDeleteAs a mom of five, family of seven, we've flown infrequently, but it's been exciting every time! There's nothing quite like the blessing of kids growing up surrounded by generations of family, getting to know aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents over the years. Your kids are most blessed!
ReplyDeleteWe've lived away from "home" for all 14 years of our marriage, and it's been one of the toughest things we've had to endure. I totally relate to your need to get back to your roots; there's just nothing like having family nearby for the good times and for the rough times.
ReplyDelete"It was only after a few minutes had passed that they realized we were there too." <-- I loved that, and can soooo relate!!! LOL!!
Stopping by from the blog chain. Great writing, great message.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely written, Steve. I could just see the journey through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteBig decision, to move home with the in-laws/outlaws. And thanks for the encouragement and tie-in to the local church.
We've all been designed with that need to fellowship with other believers. It's part of what makes us a 'family'.