No Place Like Home

Spring has come. The daffodils are emerging from my mother’s flowerbeds. I must say that I am truly blessed to be a part of such a loving family. As Dorothy would say, “There is no place like home.” Yes, I am at home. This morning I fell asleep on a bed of clean sheets and thick covers. Being so used to the heat, the 50 degree air felt chilly; so I slept under a mound of blankets. I woke this afternoon at lunchtime. The journey home took 42 hours. I’ll write more about the journey later. Mom greeted me at the airport at around midnight on Wednesday. We were both relieved to be in each other’s company. She immediately told me how happy she was to have me back. She had packed a brown paper bag with my clean blanket (one that my grandma Carey knit that I have slept with nearly every night since birth), some fruit, some homemade yogurt, and a napkin. There is no way to fully describe how happy I was to be with my mom and to be safe. I was exhausted, and I expected to have a quiet trip home from the airport. Instead, I made myself hoarse as a tried to describe my two weeks in Africa. I’m going to recount my experience in Ghana, but just a little at a time. I’ve been very emotional. It’s difficult to express the feelings that go along with my days in Ghana. For now, I will just let you know that I am home, that I am safe, and that I am thankful.