A Sort of Homecoming

Between the nations of South Korea and the United States, my wife Jessica has taken exactly three trips. Not quite an "even" number.

And in all 3 cases, you might say the destination was "home."

In 1976, she was adopted by an American family at the age of 3 months, into what would become her permanent new home.

Last week at the age of 45, she flew to her birthplace of Seoul and for the first time-- stood before her completely in-tact, biological family. Mom, Dad, and 3 elated sisters. Returning to them a smile that served as her passport.

After a week of hugs, tears, apologies and translated stories of struggle, war, poverty and forgiveness--all that remained is Love.

On Monday, Jessica boarded a plane to New York's JFK airport--to the very same destination she flew so many years ago-- this time without dozens of other adoptees soothed by a heroic and sleepless flight crew. So again, she embarked to travel those same 7,000 miles--a distance that once divided two worlds, now a bridge between two families who have agreed to share her with delight and curiosity.

Our kids and I squeezed relief into a hug soon after she landed back on U.S. soil. Ever more grateful ourselves for her empathy and courage-- we welcomed her back from her third journey. Back to a place called Home. ???? ????

And you hunger for the time, Time to heal, 'desire' time. And your earth moves beneath your own dream landscape.

Title and quote from u2's The Unforgettable Fire. Songwriters: Clayton Adam / Evans David / Mullen Laurence / Hewson Paul David