David is home

Our family reunion with David began at Ikea in Seattle.

David asked us not to meet his flight at Ft. Lewis. Because he was arriving after most of the men in his unit, he didn't want any kind of ceremony, and mercifully for him after a flight that stopped in Romania, Iceland and New Hampshire, the Army brass limited the welcome home speech to three minutes.

So he arrived Tuesday, had lunch and went out with his new roommate and found an apartment. By the time we arrived Friday, he had purchased a bed (not before experiencing shopper and sticker shock) and was in full nesting mode. After 15 months of living in hotels, tents and temporary quarters, he wanted his own digs.

My first glance after four months is of him strolling up through the Ikea garage, looking energetic, a little lighter, tanned and happy to see him. He hugged me over an Ikea traffic barrier, a good solid hug, one that said he was really there, really safe, really OK.

I didn't cry after all.