FOR ONE MONTH and nine days, the Ticketless Travel Passenger Itinerary has hung on the side of my refrigerator.
His flight departs Boston Logan Airport in Massachusetts at 5:15 p.m. He’s taking the scenic route, flying first to Atlanta before connecting on a flight to Minnesota. He always does the connecting flight thing to save money.
I have not seen him in nearly six months, not since July 7, and I am beyond ecstatic that my son will be home for Christmas.
I miss my boy, although he is not truly a boy, but a towering near 21-year-old in his junior year at Tufts University in Medford, MA. Too far from Minnesota for my liking. But he is happy there, at a college that suits his talents and academic needs, and that is what’s most important.
You get used to it after awhile—their absence. Or at least I tell myself that. I will always miss my children. Always.
At 3:44 p.m. (Minnesota time) on December 18, he texts me: About to board
Those are the sweetest three words I’ve read in six months.
Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Thursday, 10:41 p.m.: Just landed
Those are the sweetest two words I’ve read in six months.
Friday, 12:08 a.m.: Home.
One. Sweet. Word.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Nice Red Wing boots! Best holiday wishes to you and yours Audrey 🙂
Thank you, Ted. Your pointing out the Red Wing boots made me realize the error in my photo. I grabbed my husband’s boots and not the son’s. Oh, well. They look similar, albeit the college kid’s are Chippewa boots.
Such an absence/”hole” doesn’t really diminish but it always brought me up short when I would stop and all of a sudden realize that my “dailies” totally “covered up” the hole! The present norms of life have a way engulfing a body unless there is a pausing moment of recollection. I believe that is the way we are made and it’s a good thing. Life goes on for all of us and takes each one down different paths. The true blessing comes when those paths intersect and a joyful reunion is experienced. Enjoy, and be totally present, in every moment! Blessings and hugs……………………
You say it so well. That is exactly the way it is. And, yes, I’m enjoying this reunion I’ve waited on for six months.
Hope you have a great holiday. 🙂
Thank you, Missy, and a Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Ahhhh, home at last. So glad you have you boy home with you, enjoy your sweet time together!
I am and I will.
I’m so happy for you, Audrey. You must be overjoyed. It’s very different for me here in Oz as here children don’t go away to college, they live at home. Sometimes I wish they did go away! But I know how much I would miss them if I was in your situation. May your days with your son be filled with happy and harmonious and precious times that form everlasting memories xx
Thank you, Charlie. All three of my “kids” were together yesterday and for a few hours this morning at an extended family Christmas. It was wonderful.
It is a most wonderful feeling to have your “chicks” back in the nest. I visited Tufts with my daughter on her college search trip. I loved the elephant. It is a wonderful school.
It truly is a wonderful feeling. Just took the Wisconsin daughter part way home today. 😦 But at least she was in Minnesota for 1 1/2 days with all of us and I will take whatever time I’m given.
And, yes, Tuft’s University is a great school, an especially good fit for my son.
I love the elephant mascot, too. I’ve never been to the campus, only viewed photos.