I’ve managed to travel a ridiculous amount in the last decade, and one of the only things I have found hard is the return home. After several hours – anywhere from 4 to 24 – I find myself in a familiar environment and realise I’m really close to being “back”.
As I walk from the gate or customs to the luggage carousel, I always notice that the pace of my fellow travellers pick up. Mine never does, because I know that my luggage won’t be there, and I’ll have a few minute wait. What distinguishes me from the bulk of my fellows is that there’s someone waiting for them when they return.
When I’m visiting people I care about, getting on the plane is always hard. There’s more where I’m coming from than where I’m going, and I know that the only thing waiting for me at home is a cab ride or collecting my car from the parking garage, and a 15 minute ride home either way. No one’s ever at home, and I never get a hug that says “welcome back”.
When I’m visiting, there’s always friends at the other end. There’s nothing quite like being spotted from across the concourse by Zoe and being greeted by a mad dash and a huge hug, or a beer in the airport bar (only in YVR, which rocks) with Rachel and James because you just want to reconnect and say hi right then and there.
Moments like this always make me sad. I’ve posted this photo before, but rediscovered it last week and realised what it means to me. Poking through the cloud is the place where my friends are, and where i was a few short hours ago. I’m on my way out, I don’t know when I’ll be back, and there’s not a lot to look forward to until I’m actually home and even then, it’s usually the day after.
Parting nothing. Departing is such sweet sorrow. I know I’ll be home, but sometimes what’s on the other end doesn’t seem to be worth it.
Well then. Come back.
I have stuff to come home to in Ottawa…but I’ve spent a lot of time saying too many goodbyes to too many friends elsewhere over this last year. And I hate it every single damn time.
I guess what I’m trying to say is…I have a little idea of what you mean.
*hug*
Which is why I’ve always found The Mamas and the Poppas song “Leaving on a Jet Plane” poignant (and not sappy).
All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go, I’m standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breaking, its early morn, the taxis waiting, he’s blowin’ his horn
Already I’m so lonesome I could die
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me, hold me like you’ll never let me go.
Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again, oh babe, I hate to go.
There’s so many times I let you down
So many times I played around
I tell you now, they dont mean a thing.
Every place I go, I’ll think of you
Every song I sing, I’ll sing for you
When I come back, I’ll wear your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me, hold me like you never let me go.
Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again, oh babe, I hate to go.
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Close your eyes, I’ll be on my way
Dream about the days to come,
when I won’t have to leave alone,
about the times, I won’t have to say…
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me, hold me like you never let me go.
Cause I’m leaving on a jet plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again, oh babe, I hate to go…