Goodbye Singapore

My brother Eric called around 1 a.m. We thought it was our wakeup call so it took a few seconds to register that someone was on the other end. He called to let me know that my mom wasn't doing very well with her health. It was a difficult phone call for him to make and for me to receive. It appears that Mom's mission in live is almost completed and that soon she will be reunited eternally with Dad. Good news for the two of them, I know, but I will miss being able to talk with her and be with her. I love her. She's one of the greatest blessings I've received in my life.

Our trip home went smoothly all along the way. It was way too long, but the only way to get there and back is by paying the price of two vvveeerrrryyyy long flights. And they treated us well and fed us well. We slept intermittently; Roger did some work and I read a great book about temples. We bought some treats in the Tokyo airport - don't have a clue what they are called or what's in them because all the writing is in Japanese, but we had samples and decided to share with people back home!

We arrived back in NY a little after 3 p.m. Travelled via AirTrain, subways (with a 4 block walking detour), and MetroNorth train back to New Hamburg where our car was waiting. Along the way I talked to Karen who was staying with my mom and then had the privilege of talking with Mom and hearing her say to me, "Linda, I missed you. I love you. I love you, Linda." Those words brought my tears and my gratitude. We arrived back here just before 8 in time for me to catch almost all of the General Relief Society broadcast.