Homecoming
Some people never leave home but those
who do always seem to find their way back, especially
during the holidays.
In earlier times when many of us lived in the country and
had limited modes of transportation, we tended not to veer
far from home. As our social customs and patterns of living
changed, as businesses required their workers to relocate,
as automobiles became affordable, and airplane travel
became possible and convenient, family members scattered
all over the world.
Wars have displaced family members for short times. My
father served in the Army during World War II and was
overseas for two years. I can remember his homecoming. What
a wonderful occasion! When he first came back to the States
he was not allowed to come straight home. He called from
his assigned camp in Florida to tell us he was back in the
States. My mother (still in her twenties) without
hesitation threw some clothes in a bag and we headed to
Atlanta to catch a train to see him. During the war, plane
travel was almost nonexistent, gasoline was rationed and
train travel was about the only way to go any distance. I
remember the crowd of people at the boarding gate that
night. It’s a wonder we were able to get on the train.
Because the train was so full I was separated from Mother
and I was seated between two soldiers. We had left home in
such a hurry, Mother and I had not eaten supper. Train
employees would come through the train cars selling snacks
and drinks, but I had no money and Mother was not seated
near me. I’m sure the soldiers saw my reaction to seeing
the food and they took turns buying me something to eat.
During my college days, I was only about three hours from
Fayetteville but had no way to get home. I would see my
family only between quarters and at Christmas. How sweet
coming home was! Mother and Daddy were always glad to see
me and made everything special ...cooking my favorite foods
and seeing that I had a good time.
Now, I have two grown sons. The younger one lives only
thirty minutes away but the older one has lived all over,
even in England at one time. They are to our delight always
with us at Christmas time.