Until you leave home,
You cannot understand the “sweet” in this statement.
As a child I can remember,
returning from my two weeks annual Summer holidays,
and wandering around every part of my home,
remembering.
The lively heart of the house which was our kitchen,
and the comfort of our sitting room.
I would make my way to my bedroom,
where my gaze would fall upon my own bed,
and I would instantly feel relaxed,
as I lay there inhaling the rooms perfume which was me.
Today in my village,
there is a family who really understand,
“Home Sweet Home”.
For one night only,
this family will be reunited.
A young boy who left home in June,
is returning for just one night.
He will drive through the village,
up the long narrow road to his house,
and once again in the gates to his home.
Waiting in the driveway,
will be two dogs,
who have missed him these past five months,
as they have their walks!
But I don’t suppose he will pay much attention to them.
Beyond their welcome,
standing on the steps impatiently waiting,
will be his Dad, sisters, and brother.
I cannot write because I cannot imagine,
the feelings they will experience,
as they see the car turn into the driveway.
I am sure memories of the day in June he drove out,
will not be too far away.
This amazing boy,
who has astounded even the medics,
will once again land on home soil.
For those who do not know,
this boy is thirteen.
He was told he had leukemia at Christmas,
and has undergone seven savage months of chemotherapy.
He was given a Bone Marrow Transplant in July,
and nothing has gone right for him since.
(Anyone interested,
can click on the bone marrow link on my header,
if they wish to read more.)
It would be no lie to say,
that for a long time,
this homecoming seemed very far away,
and at times it even appeared unlikely.
However for today we will all forget what has passed,
as we welcome him home.
Today he will be brought in the front door.
and may sit for a time in the kitchen.
However most likely he will head straight for the sitting room.
For it is there on the most comfy of couches,
he can lie down.
A wood burning stove throwing out welcome heat,
and the television switched to a sports channel.
The remote control will be all his,
at least for today.
I am sure he will sleep away most of the day,
as family and a few friends call by.
There will be much celebration and happiness,
as everyone enjoys the moment.
I have no doubt that just as they did at Christmas,
at times today his mum and dad will pinch themselves,
and wonder “Is this really happening?”.
Later today this young warrior,
will be put to bed.
There will be no nurses hovering,
no doctors calling in.
There will be no machines around him.
For tonight he will sleep once again,
in his own bed.
Not a bed in Intensive Care,
nor in an oncology ward.
In his own bed, in his own bedroom.
This usually busy house,
has for a long time,
been missing so many.
A mother and father 200 km away,
sitting by their sons bedside.
A brother and two sisters,
regularly staying with their aunt.
Only the two dogs,
to wander its gardens,
and fill the silence.
But not today.
Because today that house is once again full.
All present and correct.
Today that house is no longer just a house.
but is in fact once more very much a home.
For one night only “Home Sweet Home”
Written in response to Daily Prompt:
Home Sweet Home
photo credit: elycefeliz via photopin cc
photo credit: stars alive via photopin cc
photo credit: paval hadzinski via photopin cc
My thoughts on a page. 
I still sleep the best when I go home. Tric, what a heart warming story of a family reunion, if only for a day.
It’s wonderful. We hope its the beginning of his long journey home. Fingers crossed.
The first of many. Always nice to hear some good news.
Yes its a great day here for them. Funny how small your world becomes when something like this happens. I feel a little drink tonight to celebrate!
This is so beautiful. So well written!
Blush!
🙂
i am in tears. and i am happy for his homecoming, as brief as it may be.
Thank you. We are all smiles here! 🙂
Delighted to hear – a short trip home but hopefully the next one won’t be far away and will be for longer xx
Thanks Lorna. It is a great day here. Hard to believe. We can smell the finish line but still more than a little cautious….. but yahoo, his Dads first weekend at home since june!
Gosh, tough on the other kids too not having parents around. Talk about turning your whole life upside down.
Unbelievable. Her youngest is only 11. So very hard for all. She has not worked since xmas. However having come so close to losing him it is great to be able imagine all of this ending with a happy ending.
Oh, I do hope so xx
Welcome Home Little Warrior! One night now, getting your home reintroduced to you for your return. How lovely!!!
Isn’t it. Imagine how warm that house feels tonight. All four children asleep together under one roof. Every mother knows how wonderful that feels. This night three weeks ago he was in ICU with a very poor prognosis. We are all so happy for them.
Remember that post you said I might like. Can you send me the link I’d love to read it.
Yes. I think I can understand as a mom how that must feel. What a joy that must have been. Kind of like Christmas eve when they are so little. And stories have been told, treats shared, expectations are high, gratitude is in the air, hope and miracle breath in us. And they all go to bed knowing they will wake up to the joy of being together and happy. Wow. I hope it was better than that for them.
(I will put a comment in the other blog with the link to it so it doesn’t go off topic for this one.)
It was a wonderful visit. When I called over today he was sitting in the middle of his siblings and cousins, about ten around him in total. All chatting, laughing and shouting. Wonderful.
So happy for your friends family. You write so poignantly, this touched my heart and brought tears. Thank you for keeping us all updated on your little friend and his journey.
Thanks a million. We are all in great form. It is the first really good news in so long. 🙂
😀 Still sending prayers of healing for your friend. I love miracles and he is on his way to a really big one.
Thanks Charlene. He had a wonderful trip home and was in great form. Fingers crossed. We still hold our breath but it’s nice to be able to hope. My friend is very grateful to all who pray and think about her wee boy and family. Thanks again.
This was so sweet it made my teeth hurt. I cannot imagine what that must be like.
I am only a bystander. It is so wonderful for his family. Hopefully the first of many homecomings. It is great to be posting something so happy.
IAM so happy to hear this. Hope their day together is more than they can even imagine. I’m sending another large embrace around your entire family:)
Thanks Tia. Its a great weekend for them alright. After so much heartache, heres hoping for many more
This is an amazing post – made me cry, it was very moving on many levels. I continue to send my prayers for a full recovery for your young friend, and peace for his family. What an incredible homecoming!
Thanks Lucia Maya. I know you understand what it’s like to welcome your child home from hospital. Life is precious and so fragile.
Wonderful news, Tric. I hope that he will be able to stay home soon – the strain for him and his family must be immense when they are separated.
I suppose as you are going through it you just get on, however the fact they are still separated all this time and still no sign of it ending is definitely tiring for them. I cannot begin to describe this family though. They are truly extraordinary. Fingers crossed it will all end, and end well in the not too distant future.
Happy moments. Indeed, nothing like coming home and sleeping on your own bed.
It was wonderful for the whole family, all in their own beds!