Going Home

This past week I had the chance to go home to Arizona on vacation. I hadn't been home since Christmas, so setting my bags on my bed & looking around my room brought back a sweet tide of memories. Home was safe, home was where people loved you no matter what. Home was where I learned to work, to share, to serve & to love the Lord. Home was where my love of music, of literature & my independence was developed. It was so nice to be home! Unpacking & sweet memories, however, did not keep the days from passing quickly. Board games with my parents & sister, teaching my mom about the wonders of her computer, watching old movies, playing the piano & visiting friends & family occupied most of my time. However, "early to bed & early to rise" is one of my father's mottos, so the hours after 9pm were basically my own. And I used this time by pulling out a book I had been wanting to read for months & losing myself in it's pages. Again, it was lovely, especially knowing that I might awaken to the smell of homemade pancakes or french toast in the morning & then spend most of the day in my pajamas. Now I realize a trip to Hawaii or visiting Times Square may be much more exciting, much more appealing, but can it truly compare to going home? Returning last night to Utah, I caught up with my roommates on all the happenings while my sister & I were gone. It was the usual work, classes & callings, but one roommate had been keeping in close touch with her family regarding her grandfather who is extremely ill. It hit me as I began unpacking my suitcase, that this dear man, lying ill in a house he had loved & dreamed in for 60 years, was ready to go home. Home where he was safe. Home where a Father & Mother loved him unconditionally & a wife waited with open arms. Home where he had learned how to work, to share, to serve & to love the Lord. A Thanksgiving trip to Arizona is now in the works, but perhaps my plans of going home should also include my first home, my heavenly home. I don't know if there will be homemade pancakes or a piano there, (In my mind heaven wouldn't be heaven without them) but now, no matter what happens or where I am in life, I can always look forward & plan on Going Home.