Homesickness for those left at Home - Absence made my heart grow fonder

Back in Austin

Madi just returned from her first mission trip.  She was gone for eight days in Honduras, truly excited to be chosen to serve.  There was some trepidation; this was the first time away from home without any contact whatsoever....no cell phone, Instagram, Facebook.  NOTHING.  We have been apart many times in her life. My past life called for much travel but we always enjoyed the modern conveniences and instant gratification of cell phones, Facetime and texting.  This would be a true testament of our maturity levels.

Let me preface my remarks with just a few comments.  This mission trip (sponsored by her school) has been in the works for the entire school year.  Both her dad and I signed off on this back in the fall when she first expressed an interest.  We love her servant heart and sense of adventure.  She participated in fund raisers and had some strong support from loved ones (special shout outs here to Mary Jo, Grampcrackers and Marissa).

Fast forward to 10 days before the mission trip.  Did you know that coffee bean disease is impacting Central America particularly hard this year?  What this means here in America is that our Starbucks prices may increase.  What that means in Honduras is local drug wars and crime is on the rise.  This caused me to google Honduras to learn a little more about what was going on.  Did you know that Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world?  Sigh.  Just reading about the precautions advised when traveling in this country made me neurotic(er).  A little late in the game some may say.....

Time to leave.  We drove her to the airport at 3:30 a.m. and both Madi and I managed a strangled hug with just a slight watering of the eyes before I dashed to the car (AVOIDANCE.....we have talked about this!!!!!!).

Let the clock begin.  I did okay until maybe Sunday.  I kept busy with odds and ends around the house, quite a bit of knitting, reading, walking and more knitting.  Actually, before she returned I finished a baby afghan, two headbands and started a new project.  One might conclude I find knitting therapeutic.

Today FINALLY arrived and I was up at 5:00 a.m. to get ready for that 6:34 PM flight pick-up.  The day couldn't go by fast enough.  I waited anxiously at the airport and truly felt like a returning veteran being reunited with their child (a bit overkill - I know).

When she came down that escalator, I realized she was not the same child I had sent off.  We both had tears in our eyes - mine in thanksgiving that she had returned safely and hers (as she shared with me later) with a little remorse for what she had to leave behind.  The homesickness I felt FOR her, she never suffered, because she knew where her home was. 

The lessons learned here - this won't be the last time she leaves home.
And there is still so much to be done.

Until next time.
May your heart grow ever fonder,

Kari