08/26/2026
A summer to remember for a lifetime. After thirty‑four hours of travel, we finally touched down in Luanda, Angola at 5:30 a.m. The boys were both excited and jetlagged, their faces lighting up even through their fatigue. It was a profound joy to see Mom, Dad, my brothers, sisters, and all our family members gathered at Agostinho‑Neto International Airport to welcome us home. As much as we were overjoyed to embrace everyone, we were equally looking forward to a proper shower and the comfort of a real bed after such a long journey.
My sister Helen and her wonderful fiancé, Titus, welcomed us into their blessed home with open arms. A cool shower felt like a baptism after the long journey, washing away the miles. Sister Helen prepared a warm, comforting breakfast — the kind that tastes like home itself. After eating, the boys chatted briefly with their grandparents and the family before drifting off to sleep around 8:00 a.m., not waking until 6:00 p.m. And when night returned, they slept again as if the day’s rest had never happened. The jet lag had finally caught up with them.
While the boys slept during the day, I spent precious time speaking with Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters. They spoke of how deeply they had missed me and the boys. Dad, with a tender smile, touched his hair and said it had changed so much. I smiled, gently ran my fingers through his hair, and told him, "Not much, Dad — your hair looks great, full and thick, and you look just as wonderful as I remember." We laughed softly, a shared warmth rising between us, the kind only family can kindle.
Our reunion was a blessing beyond measure — a tapestry of love, gratitude, and gentle moments that will remain etched in my heart forever. A summer not just lived but treasured for a lifetime.
