So, I'm coming Home.....

Michael, Kieran & Erin Haak

So I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
-Chris Daughtry, 'Home'

We are starting off this week at Snapshots of Wellness with an incredibly endearing story that's inspiring to me and my hope is, all of you. And it's a story that is an amazing reminder to all of my readers that wellness (the touchstone of this website) encompasses so much more then 'what we eat'.  Wellness is an entire lifestyle and a large part of being healthy is how we treat those we love, overall healthy relationships, loving our families 'well', spending quality time together and doing whatever activities together that bring us joy. 

I want to introduce all of you to the family photographed above: Michael, Kieran, & Erin Haak.  They were sitting in front of my boyfriend & I last night at the Goo Goo Dolls concert at Northerly Island. We sat down behind them and we were all listening to Chris Daughtry (who I kept calling Robert DAW-A-TREE and embarrassing myself as those sitting next to me would say 'Um, his name is Chris'- ha).  Chris opened for the Goo Goo Dolls and while I don't know his music well, I was very much preoccupied watching this couple, Michael & Erin and their son, Kieran who were seated right in front of us.  They were captivating.

Kieran's arms were in the air for every single song that Daughtry sang and this little boy never stopped dancing, smiling or singing - and I mean, never stopped! He would wrap his arms around his mom & dad's necks, occasionally kissing their cheeks and the entire family was lost in the music.  My heart felt full watching them because it's just rare (sadly) that I see a husband and wife show such deep- kind -affection for one another and their child - all at the same time.  It was so sweet that my boyfriend & I kept nudging one another to 'look at how precious that family is'.  Michael & Kieran would be belting out the lyrics to one another and Erin would dance along with them.  I thought to myself 'Now THAT is life and THAT is what life is truly all about'. So, we were observers to a family bonding in the sweetest way.  I mean, isn't that what life really is about? You see couples who are arguing or families whose parents are too busy criticizing then loving.  And then you see this family and it brings you back to what is absolutely most important in life, those we build a family with.

After having a conversation with the family, Michael & Erin shared that their son absolutely LOVED Chris Daughtry and his music.  BUTTT it was the reason why that liquified my heart into a puddle...

Michael Haak is a United States Marine who was deployed to Djibouti, Africa in December of 2006.  He returned home in October of 2007. While he was gone, Erin shared that Kieran would listen to 'Home' by Chris Daughtry.  The song provided Kieran with comfort while he waited for his dad to come home.  And Kieran missed his dad terribly.  Is your heart just melting? I know, I felt the same way.

This family provided me with inspiration on multiple levels last night.  I am so grateful to have gotten to know them albeit briefly! Michael, Erin & Kieran, if you are reading, thank you so much for moving my soul with your love for one another. And you are both so kind - just filled with integrity (and I love when I meet people like you knowing instantly that you are just - as my mom likes to say - 'good people').  I am inspired Michael by your dedication to serve our country.  I will never understand your level of courage but I certainly admire it and I am so very appreciative.  I am also glad you made it home safely to your family.  Michael & Erin, your parenting inspires me.  I am moved that you two took your son to a concert that he was passionate about and encouraged him to dance & sing.  Your love for your son was so evident and just really special to watch.  I loved how you treated him with such respect and matched his excitement! I just do not see that as often as I wish I did with families.  And Kieran, you had such an impact on everyone sitting around you! Do you remember all of the hugs you gave everyone before you left? And you really hugged all of us tight.  Kieran, you are very special and your love for mom & dad inspired not just my boyfriend & I but those sitting next to you. Please know that you motivated all of us to love, be kind & experience joy!!! And to motivate adults is amazing!! Keep being you Kieran because you are very special! 

I think the moral of this story (for me) was to truly cherish those we love and to get in touch with 'true joy'.  This family was 'in it' via the music, their son's joy, love for one another and in the process, motivating those around them. 

We all stand something to learn from this family! They captured what Snapshots of Wellness actually means! I hope they are reading this! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the reminders that I needed to experience last night!

"Home"

I'm staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.

Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love remains true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.

So I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,

Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.

Oh, well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.