Celebrating Chelsea's Safe Arrival Home

Without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever done

is love Chelsea enough to encourage her to follow her 

heart to Australia and Thailand.

Over the past four years of struggle with Anorexia

we have become so close that we were nearly 

always together.

Well, obviously she worked and had her friends....

but Chelsea was always, always a part of 

my day.

So....

having her leave and trusting that she would 

do the necessary things to stay healthy for 

five months...

let alone all of the dangers inherent in traveling to 

Australia and Thailand 

nearly took me down.

But all the while I wrestled with fear and worry

there was an underlying peace.

Somehow I just knew that what Chelsea would gain

in these studies and experiences were worth

a million times more than my 

anxious heart.

It was.

Last evening we met her at Newark International Airport.

Let me just say that I LOVE Harrisburg and Lancaster Airports much more.

But, Newark, New Jersey works if you want the shortest flight possible

and all of that.

We were so busy looking for her that she 

nearly made it right into our faces before we saw her.

So tanned, tiny and tired.

But she looks good.

Her brothers have missed her immensely.

They were nearly as surprised as we were 

at just how much they missed having her around.

She is the glue.

The inspiration behind silly plots.

She is JOY.

Her culture shock is in full bloom already.

Americans are apparently loud and quite rude 

compared to other cultures.

There was a bit of a glazed look that took 

over when she was not directly engaged in 

conversation.

She is sleeping now and we are committed to 

letting her sleep as long as it takes on this first day.

Then....

the hair cut and shopping

(at her request)

before a special treat this evening.

I'll try to get pictures to show you tomorrow.