Homecoming

I made it. I made it back home to you. You came toddling over to me with your arms outstretched as if to say, "there you are mommy!" In my eagerness to return to you, I bought you many gifts. Presents from the beach and the Florida Aquarium and the airport. I showed you all these gifts and some you played with for a few moments, but you especially liked the bags that brought the gifts.

I was just happy to be in your presence again. However, I did not expect for you to have grown two inches! It seems like two inches to me! When did you get to be so tall? I swear your legs got longer while I was gone. Your tree finally bloomed and the leaves are now providing shade to the backyard. The gardens exploded with growth and so did the plant in the pond! It feels like home, but things are different. I had to get acquainted again with my plants that your father forgot to water.

I envisioned what our first moments together would be like. We would run and hug and it would be magical. It was nothing like that. You wanted me to pick you, I did and we resumed as if I never left. How do you do that? How do you just fit? You demonstrate again and again to me that we just are. It felt good to remember that. There is no trying or effort. I don't have to impress you or talk or do anything. We just are.

I also thought that you would play with the toys I brought you. Instead, all you cared about was playing with the water bottle from the airport. We don't use plastic water bottles so maybe it was interesting to experience? All evening, for almost an hour you played with this bottle. It was pretty incredible that you could put the cap on and off. The dexterity involved was quite intricate. You eventually dumped most of the water all over your shirt and shorts. It was very amusing to watch!

I soaked up this time with you. Then, you had a bath, I read some books, including your new one, "That's Not My Penguin" and I kissed you goodnight a few times. I made sure you found a corner of your blanket, whispered, "I love you, Nora" and closed the door to your room.
Although this homecoming wasn't exactly what I had imagined, it was just the way it should have been. Perfect.

I am home. Sleep well Bean. I know I will.