Coming Full Cycle

Friday evening Mark, Pete and I drove to the airport, the meeting point for his East Coast Trip. As we were pulling up to the baggage claim area, I couldn't help but flashback 10 months when we made the same trip to pick him up. Pete and I sat in the chairs at the baggage area, waiting for the others on the trip to arrive. We had arrived early, so we had plenty of time to pace. Just like when we picked him up, he was very quiet, withdrawn and a little pale. Even when a couple of kids who were going on the trip joined us, he did not say a lot. I was the one asking about their experience so far (Great, both had host families in Denver). When would they be returning etc. Pete sat mute in his chair. Finally, the tour guides came by. There was another group that was waiting by door 4 not carousel 4 per the directions. When they were getting ready to leave, I gave Pete a quick hug. He gave me a look similar to a kindergarten facing his first day at school - you aren't actually thinking of leaving me with these strangers, are you?

I was reassured to get a text message from him today, that he was having fun, meeting friends but spending too much time on the bus. Look forward to hearing about his trip, but not looking forward to the trip back to the airport in a couple of weeks when we will send him back home to Finland.