There’s No Place Like Home

Last Friday, on a very fogging morning, ….

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I drove to Nashville to pick up daughter No. 2. A banjo clad Mimi coming home for the Thanksgiving holidays.

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We arrived back home in the afternoon and spent a wonderful day just hanging out. As dinner time approached we decided to head to Ruby Tuesdays and then onto watch HP7 (Harry Potter 7). We collected all of our things and as I opened the door to leave,there stood "The African Son".  

As I hugged this boy an entire story unfolded as he told me about a doctor's visit which culminated in the diagnoses of extreme stress. So from the doctor's office he drove to the Philadelphia airport and got on the first  plane home. "Auntie, I'm stressed. I just had to come home." So we threw him in the car for dinner and a movie.

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Obed came to our family with a beautiful story. When Obed was five years old, his father Sam was the best man at our wedding. Many Many years later, Sam wanted Obed to leave Cameroon to get a great education. Obed came to us and studied at Maryville College before heading to Howard University where he graduated with a nursing degree. Lately he's been working as an I.C.U. nurse and studying for his MCAT's. Obed will go to medical school soon. For the last 8 or 9 years this boy Obed has served as a great big brother for the three musketeers.  He is the next generation in the history between our two families.

This weekend held much joy for us as we visited Zaina

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Were given a very big welcome from Bear as he pummeled us with his bone.

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At the end of the weekend everyone felt less stressed, happy to be together, and living happily in the moment.

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I remember how I use to look forward to heading home for the holidays or a visit with my family. It was a time of complete comfort. Nothing makes me happier than to see my little tribe coming home for the holidays and feeling the comforts of their family, friends, and home.

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Comments

8 responses to “There’s No Place Like Home”

  1. Love, love, love this. My husband and I were just talking about how we hope that our own brood will gather at holidays and celebrations throughout the year when they are grown. To see this come together must really make your heart know that you have raised your children well. It is beautiful!

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  2. Everyone looks so happy – all those smiles! And I imagine that Mamas was the biggest smile of all! xx

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  3. Hej Valarie
    What a lovely post…and home coming with ALL your brood.
    Love Obed’s story and I hope that he keeps well…I trained to be a midwife, so I have a little understanding of the pressure he must be under, whilst trying to hold down a very stressful job and studying.
    Your children are beautiful, inside and out…you must be very proud.
    HAPPY THANKS GIVING
    LOVE PEACE enJOY
    Julie
    x
    P.S. Liking the new look of your blog AND just discovered you have a follower button, so I am now officially a follower lol!

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  4. such a cozy post valarie, this is so warming to see your children all gathering together at home enjoying one anothers company. wishing you a beautiful time of connecting xo

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  5. Wonderful post. There is nothing like family and friends!

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  6. What a lovely post and such beautiful photos too. I love the first line – it is so cool – like the opening line of a song.
    I hope you all have a lovely week together, and that Obed soon feels his tension easing. I nursed in ICU for a short time, and while it was so rewarding – providing complete holistic care, it was extremely stressful too.
    xx

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  7. What a sweet post. The story of Obed warmed my heart, especially to know that all he wanted was to be wih you and your family and be comforted, taken care of. I remember those same feelings too. There is nothing like returning home.

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  8. Bear is a beauty, and I’m glad he was part of the celebration. What better way to honor Thanksgiving than by sharing it with everyone you care about?

    Jack@PDB

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