Chapter+4

Going back Home

As I fly my over Iraq, I realize that this war is going nowhere. It seems like it is never going to end. We’ve been stuck in this war for five years and all that has brought us is pain. Soldiers dying everyday, family’s getting depressed everyday, it has affected all of us. Now I’m glad I’m going back home and finally get to see my wife and child again. I’m getting closer to my home I noticed, as I passed over the Pacific. Finally I can rest and be glad that I’ll be waking up on my bed every morning next to my wife. Hopefully they are home once I get there, they have to be there, and they even know I’m coming today. I can’t wait to get there. The plane started to slow down, and landed on the runway. I thanked God that I was finally on land again and that I was safely back home. As soon as I got out of the plane I got my belongings and directly went to go look for a Taxi so I can get home. It took me like a second to get a taxi; the whole airport was full of them. Once I got home I paid the taxi driver, got my things and closed the door. Then I stood standing at the front of my house, frozen stiff. I couldn’t believe that I was finally here. I was finally at my house. As I walk towards my door, I start imagining how my wife and child looked after I left. When I opened the door I saw that nobody was there, exactly what I didn't want. I came rushing home just to see them as soon as possible. Then out of nowhere someone touches my shoulder, it was my child. He was taller and looked a bit different. Then somebody tapped my shoulder, I turned around. It was my beautiful wife, oh was I glad to see them again. I cannot live without them, they’re my life. Then I started to tell them how my life was in Iraq, how everyday you pray to live another day and to get back home with the ones you love. After that I just wanted to rest, I was really exhausted. The next day I woke up with the best mood ever that I really wanted to go out and do something with my family. So I decided to take them to a place where the magic lives, a place where dreams come true, I decided to take them to Disneyland. Oh we had lots of fun that it's a day that I will never forget. Especially at the night when Mickey comes out with his red suite and blue hat, that was the best with fireworks and all. I felt like if I was a child again. It was beautiful, and then I just felt this tap on my shoulder. I looked around and nobody was around me. When I realized that I was a sleep, dreaming of what I wanted. I was still in Iraq but the person who tapped my shoulder was the general. I stood up straight when he told me to gather up my belongings because I’m going back home, I was speechless. I couldn’t believe it that I was going back home. When I started walking towards the plane that was taking me back home I realized something. I realized that my dream was actually coming true.

-by Alfred Henriquez