Whenever I went up to visit my mom, it involved a 3 hour drive, each way. 

I moved away from home in 1976 when I headed off to college.   The rest of the family remained in the general area, so I was the one who moved away.  I never returned to live there again, but every time I returned home for a visit, I would always be greeted with a little sign taped on the door that said "Welcome Home".

That was true every single time I visited, for the past 29 years, with only one exception.  The last time I drove up there was on October 17th.  She had been so ill that day, she was not able to make a "Welcome Home" sign.   She had been ill before, but always amazed me how she still found the strength to make a sign for me.  This time was different, her energy was just too far gone.

Nine days later, she died.  

I won't be seeing any more of her precious "Welcome Home" signs, but you know, somehow, I have this feeling that when she got to Heaven, she was greeted with a sign which read "Welcome Home".

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