Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Today and Yesterday

I woke up with the sun this morning.

While I lingered in bed watching the sky turn from black to blue, I reflected on a morning almost twenty-one years ago, when the nurse handed me my second child and joyfully told me, "It's a boy." (You can read Tucker's birth story here.)

From the moment he was placed in my arms, I had hoped he would serve a mission.

Today--he will finally be back home, after honorably serving the people of New York City for the past two years.

And just like when we brought him home from the hospital, I have prepared for his arrival.

The sheets on his bed are clean.  His dresser is waiting, ready to be filled with clothes and memories from his adventures.  Ben kindly emptied a shelf in the bathroom and a rod in the closet they shared in what seems like a different life three years ago.

The sign is hung.
I stocked up on a few of his favorite foods.
I will spend the day cleaning the house and preparing the food for his return feast.

I have the feeling that I will also spend the day intermittently fighting back tears of joy at the reunion we will have.

How I have missed him.

Missed his loud, sincere laugh.

Missed his random singing at inopportune moments.

Missed his sense of humor. (If you didn't follow his blog before he left, here's the link.  I reread a few posts last night, and it brought him back to me--especially the posts on the testing center and Amish Friendship Bread.  They are worth your time.)

Mostly, I just missed him--his smell, his smile, and especially his hugs.

Today is finally here.

I wish I could go back to that young mom in that hospital room. I would tell her: As much as you look forward to this new son serving a mission, nothing will compare to what it feels like when he comes home.

It's today.

I'm crying again.

18 comments:

  1. I am so excited for you! Everybody loves Tucker and I cannot believe he's already home! Can't wait to see him!

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  2. Beautiful post. I am sure your reunion will be a joyous one. Congratulations to him for his valiant service.

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  3. I'm crying now too. Tears of joy for your family and tears of what is to come for mine. My boy leaves in July.

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  4. I cried, it's silly but true. Hope today flies instead of crawls.

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  5. I know you will savor this, one of your life's sweetest days

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  6. So excited for you! So this is random, but Greg and I are ward missionaries so we work really closely with the Elders. Last week I fed an Elder dinner on his last night in the mission field, and it make me think of Tucker. I was sad to see this Elder go, but I was SO PROUD of him and so happy he got to go home to his family after serving honorably and making an incredible difference in the lives of a lot of people. You must be so proud!! (I am proud too!) Hope you have a fantastic afternoon!

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  7. Wow! I can't believe it...even I cried. So happy for your reunion!

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  8. so so happy for you all jen!!!

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  9. So looking forward to hearing and seeing pictures of the reunion. As a non-LDS I was trying to imagine sending my son(only 15 at the moment) on a mission and couldn't fathom the idea. Hubby said that you would have been preparing for your son to leave almost since the day he was born. Such a sacrifice for all but such a growing experience for those that serve. I look at the Missionaries I see from time to time and wonder where they are from, and how their families must miss them. Enjoy this day, Catherine

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  10. Can't wait to read the follow up post to this AFTER he's home! I can't imagine how meaningful today has been for your family!

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  11. Crying too over here...happy tears for you.

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  12. I'm crying while reading your post too! So happy for you and Tucker! What a wonderful reunion this will be!

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  13. i remember crying the day you posted him leaving...seeing your face as you were hugging him broke me down!

    CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIS HOMECOMING!

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  14. Me, too.
    Cannot wait to hear all about it!!

    =D

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