Today and Yesterday

I woke up with the sun this morning.

While I lingered in bed watching the sky turn from black to blue, I reflected on a morning almost twenty-one years ago, when the nurse handed me my second child and joyfully told me, "It's a boy." (You can read Tucker's birth story here.)

From the moment he was placed in my arms, I had hoped he would serve a mission.

Today--he will finally be back home, after honorably serving the people of New York City for the past two years.

And just like when we brought him home from the hospital, I have prepared for his arrival.

The sheets on his bed are clean.  His dresser is waiting, ready to be filled with clothes and memories from his adventures.  Ben kindly emptied a shelf in the bathroom and a rod in the closet they shared in what seems like a different life three years ago.

The sign is hung.

I stocked up on a few of his favorite foods.

I will spend the day cleaning the house and preparing the food for his return feast.

I have the feeling that I will also spend the day intermittently fighting back tears of joy at the reunion we will have.

How I have missed him.

Missed his loud, sincere laugh.

Missed his random singing at inopportune moments.

Missed his sense of humor. (If you didn't follow his blog before he left, here's the link.  I reread a few posts last night, and it brought him back to me--especially the posts on the testing center and Amish Friendship Bread.  They are worth your time.)

Mostly, I just missed him--his smell, his smile, and especially his hugs.

Today is finally here.

I wish I could go back to that young mom in that hospital room. I would tell her: As much as you look forward to this new son serving a mission, nothing will compare to what it feels like when he comes home.

It's today.

I'm crying again.