I Have Returned

By I.M. Ulysses.

I have returned
After many long years
Of biding my time
And facing my fears

Despite all the terrors
My feet again stand
In the land I was born
By God's holy command

Like Moses and Joshua
I followed the light
That guided me through
My darkest night

Across the great plains
Through hills and prairie
I gathered my family
For our great journey

Eastward and onward
We drove through the day
Stopping but briefly
That last week of May

As we crossed the border
We let out a shout
We're home at last
This time with no doubt

The first battle's over
A mistake now undone
That bought us to Calgary
When we were still young

Ahead a new world
And a life to redeem
From the anger and hate
In the times I had seen

For this I was called
And for this hour made
To raise from the dead
A hope once betrayed

Father I'm here
This work is now done
I have kept the faith
Your victory's won

The work that you started
In me as a boy
Is now complete
The old life's destroyed

Torn up and discarded
It's part of the past
Along with my tears
Which have dried at last

Within this my flesh
A new heart is beating
Filled with great hope
That is not retreating

I'm yours and I'm hers
This woman You've given
And though I've sinned
You have me forgiven

The page has been turned
The chapter is closed
As You had ordained
And to me foretold

Cast to the winds
In my soul I burned
But Christ brought me back
And I have returned.

For my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who never let me forget who I am, and who He wanted me to be. Thank you, Jesus, for the last 29 years, for the woman you've given me, and the grace to forgive my family, myself, and the courage to move on.

See also: http://albertaexile.blogspot.ca/2008/07/i-will-return.html

June 1, 2012, the day of our return home, with my mom and
Mary just after we arrived in Mississauga, Ontario, 29 years,
one month, and 3 days (10,626 Days total) after we left  on
April 29, 1983, and barely two miles from where we left too.
Interesting fact: from the day we left Mississauga, Ontario
on April 29, 1983 until the day we left Airdrie, Alberta,
on May 28, 2012, there was EXACTLY 10,622 Days or
29 Years and 29 Days!