Hey Mom, Surprise, I’m Home For Christmas!
For a long time I had planned to go to Allahabad, India for Christmas and New Year’s. On Tuesday, December 18th my friend told me he changed his flight and would be coming home later. He requested I try to visit him in mid-January instead.
This was fine, but all of a sudden I had nowhere to be on Christmas. The next logical stop from Bombay heading south is Goa, but Goa is a beach/party place that is in extra party-mode for the holidays. It’s hard to find a place to stay and it’s not a place I particularly care to visit.
Almost without thinking I visited United.com to see if I could find a free ticket home using frequent flier miles. I couldn’t believe it, but there were plenty of options. I checked to see if there were free tickets coming back in January and there were. I called my dad to run the crazy idea of flying home by him. He was shocked but said yes, come.
Within 24 hours I was on a plane heading home.
I left Bombay the night of Wednesday the 19th and had layovers in Newark, Cleveland (where I consider home), ending in Washington DC. I had a four hour layover in Cleveland where I could see an aunt and uncle, and I flew to Washington DC to see another aunt/uncle/cousin. My cousin had a baby two weeks earlier so it would really be special to see this new addition to the family at such a young age.
Unfortunately, in Newark the plane underwent an hour of maintenance and then another 3 hours of delays because the hangar door wouldn’t open! I didn’t get a chance to see my family in Cleveland. But given how busy the holidays are with traveling, how bad the weather was (snow in Cleveland, high winds in Newark and Washington DC), I was very lucky to arrive at my final destination just an hour behind schedule.
Below are a few pictures from the journey home.
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- Departure Card
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- Indian Immigration Departure Card
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- With Gandhi In The Bombay Airport
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- New York Skyline From Newark Airport
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- Customer Service Line In Newark
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- Home, But No Longer Where My Parents Live
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- Cleveland’s Claim To Fame
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- De-icing The Wings In Cleveland
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- Snow In Cleveland
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- Smooth Sailing
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- With My Cousin’s Newborn
The Surprise
My brother picked me up from the bus station. He only found out I was coming an hour beforehand. It was nice to see him and we headed home.
I asked my brother to take a video of the surprise. He agreed. I actually have no video of my parents at all and if I ever have kids it’ll be nice to have something to show them someday.
I didn’t know what to expect or how my mom would take it. But what resulted is what I think Christmas is all about. It’s not about exchanging gifts and giving people stuff. It’s about love, happiness, and joy. It’s not easy being a nomad’s mom. There are always reasons to worry and of course she misses me. As I do my best to spread joy, happiness, and positivity around the world, I thought it was time I do the same for my own family.
By chance, I took this picture on Christmas day. It was the 30,000 picture I’ve taken on The Happy Nomad Tour. My hair decided to be extra crazy for the occasion, I guess!
With My Mom On Christmas Day
The Dog
The icing on the cake for going home was my brother’s dog, Cleveland. I fell in love with him when I was home last time and I’m really looking forward to spending time with him now.
However, I worried that he might have forgotten who I am. Though I fed him extravagantly and gave him lots of love last time I was home, I don’t know how robust dogs’ memories are.
I think the video below, taken a minute after the video above embracing my mom, shows that Cleveland remembered who I am and was excited to see me :).
Conclusion
Although my family exchanged no gifts this year, we were together and we couldn’t have been happier. Despite how commercial the holidays have become, I hope sharing my story helps reinvigorate the holiday spirit within you. I also hope you do something special for your mom in the coming year. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it :).
Congrats Adam ..
Its great to see, lovely surprise and happiness in your mom’s eyes.
moments with your dog is lesson of love for any human being now a days …
happy new year to you and your family dear…
Thanks, same to you!
Hey, where is the video with dad?!? He is equally awesome!! 🙂
🙂
Adam ! Great surprise, touchy moment…. I can see the Happiness & feel of your Mom to see her son suddenly esp on the Christmas day. Your presence of mind to take a video is superb.
The dog’s love is awesome.
we wish you & your loving Family “Merry Christmas & A Very Happy New Year 2013 “
Thanks Sethu! Same to you and your family. Look forward to seeing you again in Delhi this spring! My parents also loved the silver coin/gem box. Thanks again!
Sooooooo sweet! *wipes tear*
🙂
Cant imagine what it must’ve been like coming home and landing back in the US after the time you’ve spent on the road, sounds surreal man . ]
Upcoming post about that. Not as crazy as you might think, but yes, each time I come back it’s with different perspective.
Look forward to reading it . ]