Tears, Tantrums and Travelling Home

So it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks trying to cram in all the fun I could possibly have with my family in Brisbane before making my home in Sydney. I've had fish and chips at Suttons, bacon and egg muffins at Sandgate and burgers at Seaworld...this is nothing of course to the dinners served up at Mums. I've snuggled up with nieces to watch movies, and chased my nephew in the park, sneaking in as many kisses and cuddles as I can with the little ones. But it has all come to an end for a while.

Last night we sad goodbye to the family at the airport. I originally didn't think anyone was going to come to the airport, or even come in to see us off at the gate for that matter, but one by one I discovered they all wanted to come to say goodbye, so on the verge of our big adventure I found myself surrounded by family.

Up until the airport I think I held it together fairly well apart from a few secret tears shed watching Ever play around the house. The airport however was another story. The call to board the plane came out and the tears ran! I kept wondering "how on earth did we get here and who made this decision?" (It's amazing how in the midst of great adventure you can get scared and begin to totally doubt what you are doing and the panic sets in.) As I swept through family sharing hugs and kisses and sweet words, I think too much panic came over me to actually be in the moment and take in what was going on around me. Before I knew it, I was on the plane and couldn't remember what anyone had said. (Apart from the fact that Ever threw a tantrum in the airport and I almost didn't get a proper goodbye.)

After many silent tears on the plane holding Steve's hand, I realised we were half way home and I felt a bit of relief. Steve and I were actually heading home TOGETHER, ahhhhh. (We have up until this point been living apart for the past 5-6months and I had only recently realised that I had become used to this and built up a sort of skin to deal with it.) I realised in this moment that things were going to be ok. Our adventure was starting up again, no longer were our lives going to feel stagnant, praise God!

But there are things that I will miss terribly and things that I hope I won't forget...like the scent of Lolly (the good scent), the way Ever would endearing call out to me in the house "A' Shayshay" and the cackle of Ben's laughter at the hands of Uncle Steve's tickles and tricks! The nature in which Dad's steadfast presence around their house brings a peace to the family. The way in which Mum's hospitality reminds us that we're loved. And last but not least the fun and fury of sharing your life with your adult siblings...always there to bring the best and the worst out of you! I will miss it all.