It was bitter cold, and the plastic sheeting that lined the walls where the renovations were in progress in the airport hallway did little to insulate against the cold. There were few people in the airport, due to the lateness of the night and it being a small-ish airport, at least compared to what I was used to at the Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. I was in unfamiliar lands with unfamiliar weather, interviewing for a new job. It was the Christmas season almost 30 years ago and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” played to the few people in the airport. A lot has changed in my life since then, to say the least, but the message still tugs at my heart, making it one of my most loved Christmas songs.
On Saturday, my wife and I attended the Feast of Carols event of the Bryan High School choir. The event was marvelous and not just because a granddaughter was among the beautiful voices. It was an outstanding show, surpassing some university events we’ve attended that were supposed to celebrate Christmas and the holidays. The selection of songs was magnificent. And then THE song was offered to the attendees, and I warmed from the inside while experiencing a bit of goosebumps, too. My mind raced back to the time when I had no gray hair and much livelier steps as I walked through an airport away from home in search of a job, the right job, to take care of my family while also allowing me time with my family. I knew that a job that involved a lot of travelling would not be right. “I’ll be home” was a powerful message to me then, and it remains so today, including the line, “You can count on me.”
I am more of a homebody now than then, perhaps to a fault. It is what it is, but it reminds me how important home has been, and is, to me. As important as home is to me, it makes me think about those who can’t be home for Christmas or during the holiday periods: those in the military, traveling business people of all types, people dealing with life transitions, the homeless. I was blessed to grow up in the home environment that I had and realize some (too many) grew up in homes filled with drama, anger, violence and such. For them, being home for Christmas is the last thing they want. That is an incredibly sad reality. Home should not be that way.
There is something anchoring, comforting, consoling, and healing about being home for Christmas, even if only in your dreams, as the song declares. Try to go there, literally or figuratively. Hug the ones you love, forgive, mend, laugh, enjoy, soak it in. Carry it all with you every day. Every day, “be home,” because home is where the heart is.