Home Is Where The Heart Is : Family

This morning I woke up and called my brother. It's Thanksgiving, so calling the family is a must. It's practically protocol, right. All the sudden I was hit like a ton of bricks falling on a sheet of ice. Sadness, longing, misery, and despair. Now, this isn't my first Thanksgiving away from home. Ive spent many holidays away from my home. Spent them in Iraq, Europe, Africa, and other places. But this time its different... Now, when I speak of "home", I'm not speaking of the physical presence of Arizona; not even of the house where I'm all too accustomed to spending the holidays; not even the warm weather and sunny skies. . . .

Home: It's the glow on my nephews face. The hug from my Grammy. Wet kisses from my dog. The warm smell of pies, casseroles, and steaming cups of coffee. Laughter amongst stories of reminiscence. Talking football with my brother and gentle arm punches as we joke. It's all the quirky little things that make each family unique. The small traditions that are remembered each holiday.


See, in the past, when I have missed holidays, I was surrounded by another family. It was my brothers who took up arms with me in war. Who risked life and limb together in a desolate middle eastern country. At other times, it was friends who I have cherished for years. Who knew my soul inside and out. Friends who know my story, heart, and troubles.....  This time, I feel more alone. No doubt I am surrounded by individuals who care about me. I am certain of this. People whom I have grown to love in the weeks I have been here. But the key word in that sentence: weeks. Time is hard to replace. Time encompasses many things. Time to grow relationships. Time to love. Time to learn. Time to accept. We don't possess the ability to change time. We cannot take it back and we cannot move it forward. We are stuck in that moment. In that hour, minute, or second.

Now, I completely relish in the fact we have the ability to make the most of each moment. And we should! We should live each moment of our time like it could be the last. We should live each day knowing that Jesus could return in that hour. However, this is much harder to do than speak. Especially during the holidays. . . . .