There's No Place like Home

The cool night air, the calm of the early morning city, and the sweet goodbyes from friends are the impressions we have of the last moments of our time in Copenhagen. At 4:30 a.m. President and Sister O'Bryant picked us up for the ride to the airport.

Once there we were met by our dear friends, Lone and Anna, who had come to wish us farewell. We had little time with them as we hurried through the check-in process. They walked us to the stairs up to security. We hugged and bid a tearful goodbye, and then Sister Hamblin, SK, and I dragged our heavy carry-ons up the escalator and walked along to the very long line of people waiting to leave Copenhagen.

As we walked, someone yelled, "Sister Madsen!" and I looked over the railing to see Thea's beautiful, young face smiling up at me. She had just barely made it, and I yelled out "Thea!" but was rushed along to hold our place in line. There was a stairway nearby with a guard at the foot of it. I looked down at her and asked him if I could just go down to hug her, pointing at Thea. The guard smiled and nodded yes. I hurried down the stairs and embraced Thea. She has been a special young friend whom I love.   

Hanging out with the YSAs in Copenhagen was good preparation for this last week. Our young friends are night owls, and we have developed the habit of being up with them. We managed to get by with little sleep as we moved toward our last few days there.

The elation and love we felt Thursday (our official farewell at the center) night carried us through our preparations all day Friday and Friday night and into the wee small hours of Saturday morning. When we left the apartment,we were hungry still for more time to walk the beautiful streets of Copenhagen and to be with our wonderful YSAs and many other friends that have been a part of our lives.

The air travel from Copenhagen to Paris, from Paris to Salt Lake, and from Salt Lake to Phoenix consisted of standing in long lines and walking long distances through terminals, but the reward at the end of the trip was worth that and so much more. We were greeted at Sky Harbor airport by 22 bright, smiling faces and a chorus of "grandmas" yelling out over terminal three.  There were two lovely homemade banners and a poster, as well as colorful t-shirts sporting Danish slogans.

The stress (stress caused by having my heart torn in half....not wanting to leave all of our dear dear friends in Denmark, but wanting so much to be with our family) and fatigue of the last couple of weeks fell away when we saw our precious children and grandchildren. I wrapped my arms around each one and didn't want to let go. They were a beautiful sight!  Their voices rang out...their faces beamed.....it was beyond words to at last be there with them.

Let me insert here that a glitch in our schedule got us here two hours earlier than expected.  SK's sister Carolyn rescued us from a potentially  awkward situation by showing up at precisely the right place and time in the airport. She made critical phone calls to family members which made it possible for them to meet us at the airport at the right time. We had a few brief moments with her and our niece Cindy. What wonderful women!  

In Phoenis

After we arrived in Phoenix, we climbed into  our kids' cars and came home to Gilbert. The familiar streets, with trees grown two years taller, brought a flood of memories.  I took a tour of home, which has been restored completely to its pre-mission state. I wandered through every room. It was just as we left it. It was lovely.  It was clean. I was home. Heather planted some vincas at the front door, and a centerpiece of red and white flowers on the kitchen table from Erin completed the bridge from blossom-loving Copenhagen to Gilbert. 

Sitting around the kitchen table with my family, laughing and talking over a meal left me wondering if the beautiful years in Denmark had been a dream. But they were real, and I will be eternally grateful for that incredible experience.

And I will be eternally grateful for our sweet family for their love and support and strength and comfort.