The Samoan Prince is Home

I can't describe the feeling of seeing Brandon again last night. He has been gone for 2 years serving an LDS mission in Samoa. Our entire family anxiously awaited his arrival. We stood in the baggage claim area looking up at the escalator as all the arriving passengers descended toward us hoping to catch the first glimpse of him in the crowd. Finally, there he was. My son! I saw his face then his smile. I immediately noticed the change in him. I thrust both my fists in the air and grinned from ear to ear as tears streamed down my cheeks. He was wearing a gray suit coat, white shirt and a light green tie. You could barely see the tie for the multiple shell lei's around his neck. Then I noticed the matching gray lava lava, bare legs and black sandals and ukulele. He held his head high and flashed a toothy white grin. He carried himself like the royal Samoan Prince he had become.

Mom, of course, was the first to run out with her arms open. What a sweet, tender moment to see that embrace. Brandon took off one of the larger shell lei's and placed it over her head and hugged her again. As he progressed to me and then through each member of the family; a hug, a shell lei and another hug. The lei was placed on each of us like a blessing. A coronation of love and respect.

I was so impressed with the love and affection he displayed to a large Samoan family that was picking up their son. I can only explain it as his royal demeanor as I saw former strangers each approach him, give him a warm embrace and kiss on the cheek. He had become a brother and fellow member of the Samoan family. He engaged in easy conversation in the native language he had learned. He spoke so fluently and powerfully. It rolled off his tongue like honey. Laughter, affection, tears. He treated them like family they now were. What a transformation.

I hate to see that aura diminish over the next few weeks and months. He is no longer a missionary. He is faced with new challenges of life. But I will always have that picture of him descending the escalator as the royal Samoan Prince. The smile, the lei's around his neck, the green tie, the lava lava, the sandals, the stand-tall demeanor.

We were all hungry and wanted to be gone from the airport. The move to the parking structure was a slow one. Brandon had to seek out each of the 6 Elders he had come home with. That lead to more hugs, and more pictures. His last stop was the Samoan Elder. I witnessed a long embrace of true brotherhood and love. They held each other by the shoulders and looked into each others eyes. I was too far away to hear what they were saying. I know they were speaking their native tongue - Samoan. I know it was words of love and respect. Things only returned missionaries can say to each other. Small words that hold two years of experience and meaning.

We look forward to integrating Brandon back into the home and family. Supporting him as he faces new challenges. Welcome Home Elder Black! - PICTURES TO FOLLOW