"Welcome Home"

March 6, 2024

Missoula Airport, Montana

Gradually, I become aware of my own conciousness. As the darkness gives way to light and the room forms around my sleepy vision, I realize I am in Montana. Again. And all is right with the world. This time, it is for a close pal's wedding, and to meet my baby nephew. Not that I'd need a reason, anyhow. I'd come all the time if my financial advisor (myself) would allow it.

The friends in Kansas told me I go to Montana too often. The friends in Montana told me I don't come here often enough. The aforementioned financial advisor would agree with the former, but my heart would agree with the latter. 

“Welcome ‘Home,’” the preacher man said with a smirk, as he shook my hand on Sunday morning. He scanned my face for an affirmation, and I agreed.

“It does feel like coming Home,” I told him. 

It always does. I hope it always will. The little house on the end of 3rd Street… The Coffee Shop facing the mountains on the edge of town… The tiny white church with the tall steeple and red shag carpet.. when I step inside these, I am Home again. After all, this place was the last Home I knew, before I packed my bags and scrambled blindly to a new Home in South Asia. After all, this place taught me many lessons, and changed me in so many ways.

But it’s odd. As I sit in the airport with my coffee, I am about to go Home to Denver. Looking around the newly-renovated airport, I recognize the gate agents and the TSA people. Maybe I do come here quite a bit. Once I’m Home in Denver, I’ll get in my car and drive to the only permanent Home I’ve ever known: the old Koehn Place on North Road V. 

I don’t know about all these Homes. It’s getting expensive. But, I get lonesome for the mountains. I miss the pair of girls and the tiny boy: the smallest ones of the family. And sometimes, I need to drink an iced caramel latte (with oat milk, please) from Dobson. 

I miss living here. For now, I’ll go; but I’ll be back. I never say goodbye to anywhere for very long. 

(I think I need a raise.)