Longing for Home
“If you can wait and not be tired of waiting…” a line from the commercial of the baby dove. Most of the time when we plan on a trip, the waiting seems to go on forever and when it comes, it quickly folds.
Over four months ago, I packed up for a trip home after three years of being away again. To smell the scent of childhood, to reconnect with friends, to see for myself what has become of this country with its new leader. To bond with family. Living in a new country where my closest kin requires crossing a border away, there are days when it gets you. That sense of security and peace that only being home brings me. The house where we grew up that literally withstood countless typhoons over time. It became the home of four generations and counting. Occasions like Christmas and New Year’s are big in the Philippines. It is that special time where it meant getting and being together as a family. To me at least. Where I live now, friends invite me over for the holidays and most of the time I decline. There is that sting I feel when I see families together celebrating Christmas rituals that make me feel so homesick. If I have my way, I would love to spend Christmas at home or at least exit Canada and cross the border.
Finally, the waiting was over, all the bags were packed. Finished my full days’ work and headed to the airport 2 hours later. Once airborne, my soul reached home in advance. In anticipation, I thought of the food I craved that I never had in the past 3 years I was away. I thought of the love I once had. I thought of the field trip I’m bringing the family to. My nephews, how bigger they may have grown. The traditional pictorial we take as a family every time I’m home. Getting together dinner with friends. The new superhighway that cut my trip from the airport to home to about 3 hours less. With those thoughts crowding my brain, I dozed off smiling. I woke up a few hours after, to a call for dinner. I chose to fly our flag carrier this time. I haven’t tried it internationally. With all the reputation and bad reviews before along with higher ticket prices, it was never a consideration. However, with new management and a promising rewards program, I took a chance. I’m glad I did. The service and food were great!
I breezed through customs, scooped my luggage from the carousel and headed to the crowd where my sister and cousin were eagerly waiting. Tight hugs and welcomes exchanged. We flagged a cab to the bus station and it will be another 3 hours bus ride to finally get home. You guess what takes place on the bus… :-)
