Home

We were away from home long enough that when we returned a few days ago I drove right past my own street. I had to wonder if my subconscious was telling me it wasn't time to return yet. But my kids screaming at me from the backseat were telling me it was.

One of the strangest things about being away for so long, aside from forgetting the way to my house, is how much closer it has brought us to home. We have actually become tighter with our friends, more connected with our families and more committed to our community as a result of being away. It's true that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I suppose all those miles helped us to look a little more attractive to everyone else. But these things became more precious more because of contrast and comparison than proximity.

We had the exceptional opportunity to see some of the most magnificent sights on the planet. We completely dunked ourselves in the places, scenery, history, culture, food and adventures that make those fancy travel magazines and brochures so sexy. And while every one of them fed our desire to explore and experience even more, none of them left us wishing we could call any other place home.

So being home has been that much sweeter. Reunions with our friends have been that much more joyful. Walks into town for a coffee or an ice cream have been that much more pleasant. Rides in the hills that much more satisfying. And our return home that much more celebratory.

After nearly a year, four continents, a dozen countries and more than 40 lodgings, I'm not sure we accomplished everything we set out to do. But there are a few things I'm very certain about. First, we have given our children some very important life skills. They can now eat whatever is put in front of them, sleep wherever they happen to find themselves and poop wherever they have to. Second, we have an even longer list of places we want to visit than before we left. And third, we are very glad to be home.