Quote of the Day: “Hope is a vigorous principle… it sets the head and heart to work, and animates a man to do his utmost.” Jeremy Collier
Today, we welcome our son, Taylor, home from a two year mission served in Guatemala City and surrounding areas. I set my sights on this day and envisioned him walking off that airplane into our waiting arms each time I went through the process of receiving another dose of chemo or each time the nurses set me up for radiation treatment, closed the door behind them, and started to send radiation waves upon me. I had to have something better to think about than what was happening, fully aware that the future had to hold better than the past. In some ways, it felt like this day would never come. When we sent him away August 18, 2010, we also said good bye to the Cooper’s Hawk family that nested in our neighbor’s yard. Maybe they headed south also. Even Maggie’s pleading “Mr. Cooper’s Hawk, where are you?” did not bring the hawks back the next summer.
As we traveled to Provo to let Taylor off, with suitcases, literally on the sidewalk, knowing we would not see him for two years, his older brothers were relentless teasing him and telling him unpleasant stories of their own missions. It felt like an initiation of sorts pushing Taylor into a grown up world. And I do remember reading a few years ago, that such a thing is good for boys, turns them into men, sort of like Native Americans did when they sent the young Braves off into the wilderness to survive for a certain amount of time on their own. I remember Taylor’s expression that day, particularly because we caught it by photo, which I have framed in my kitchen. It was an expression of uncertainty, a look that conveyed both fear and also a sense of trust that we, as parents, knew what we were doing to send him off. And while I know sending a child on a mission in no way compares to sending someone off to war, that so many mothers and fathers have had to do, praying that they would return safely, there still is a risk, especially in a country dealing with drug cartels. As a parent, you never really rest easy until your child is safely home.
So gratitude has always been one of Taylor’s strong character markers. He was the rare child who always remembered to say “Thank you” when you bought him a piece of clothing or new shoes. Sometimes, I wondered if he was too grateful, too worried about taking something from us, but I always appreciated the words. This week as we returned from the Tetons, we found two envelopes full of individual letters addressed to family and others who had been influential in his life. I think he wanted to express his gratitude before he returned home. He wrote the following to me …“My mission would have been okay but when I found out you got cancer my mission changed. D& C 105: 6 “And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.” I have never found joy like I have when in the service of my God. Thank you so much for all you have done for me. I cannot wait to see you again. You always set a perfect example of love and charity towards me. I have learned so much from you. I really could never repay all you have done for me. I may be a Mama’s boy that that is okay. I will never forget all I have done with you, going to school and tennis matches. Thank you so much for making me do things that sometimes I did not want to do…”
It’s hard not to miss a boy like that. And so his plane has touched down in the US. He has close to a four hour layover in Texas and then boards a plane to return to us. I saw a beautiful Hibiscus flower in Holladay today while running and so when I also saw a deep rose Hibiscus plant at the store, I bought it. It is now planted in my garden, a reminder of Taylor’s return to us.
Plants in the yard are a lovely way to remember important occasions like Taylor’s homecoming. We can hardly wait to see him again. Welcome home, Taylor!