Fully home?

Before heading to Iraq, I was resonsible for providing briefings to returning soldiers at Ft. Drum, NY. As these soldiers returned from their deployment, I helped greet them at the airport, offer prayers, encouragement and presence. I have provided reunion briefings for returning soldiers for so many times, I have the briefing memorized.
Part of the getting home process always invovles lots of "welcome home" comments and speeches. I always begin mine by saying, "Everyone seems to say 'welcome home' to you, but I reaize that you are not home yet. You are on the way home, but only you know when you are really home. So let me welcome you thus far on the journey and I hope to make this briefing short and to the point, so that you can get home where you want to be."

For me, I have announced in the past that there are certain events that must take place before I am fully home.
I must hear the laughter of my children around the table at dinner.
I must stand with the congregation and sing praises in church.
I must fall asleep with my wife's head resting on my chest.

Then I know that I am home.

I am home now.