Homecoming

We parked at the airport in Louisiana and, as we crossed the parking lot, saw a young soldier and his wife embracing at the entrance. It was obviously a good-bye hug and tears were streaming down her face. We walked on by - respecting their need for privacy - and entered the waiting area by the four gates of Alexandria Airport. There were a smattering of people waiting for arriving passengers. A few moments later, I saw the young soldier we had seen outside. He stood in the waiting area reluctant to get settled. I asked him if he was heading overseas and he said he was. We began to chat and I learned he had a five year old and an eight month old. He began wiping his glasses and explained how he "chose not to cry outside as it made it harder on the girls." In the next few moments, several families migrated into the waiting area - each looking for "their soldier" to walk through the gate. A little girl wearing a red, white and blue t-shirt with the words "I'll always be daddy's little girl" was a visible testimony of the faithfulness and love of the others waiting. I looked over to a seat and saw a beautiful, young woman wearing a "Bobby's Girl" t-shirt. She was wringing her hands and I asked if she was waiting for her husband. After a short conversation, we realized that her husband was the First Sergeant of Kyle's company. Her husband was the man that had been sending the Family Readiness Group (FRG) newsletters each month to all of us back home. As she shared her pride in his work, the tears began to flow. My heart ached as I thought above the time this lovely young woman had spent away from her husband.

I had talked to Kyle after he landed in Dallas. I knew he was fine. I heard he was fine. But ... when he walked through the gate, my pride and gratitude for his safety mixed together and flowed in tears that couldn't be held back. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I held tight to the soldier that I loved so much. In just a few moments, other soldiers - including the young father - would head out on a flight and keep the exchange going that creates a consistent wall of freedom around our country.

It seems like yesterday, I was tucking Kyle in as a little boy who played army in the backyard more days than not. Tonight, I'm watching him sleep on a hotel bed after devouring a chicken-fried steak dinner. The soldier is resting well on American soil. This Army mom is thankful to watch her son sleep once again.