Homebound Reflections: A Peaceful Flight from Bogo to Bukidnon

 After staying with my auntie in Bogo City for a while, it was finally time for me to go back home to Valencia, Bukidnon. It felt a little emotional leaving because I had spent some time there with my family, but I was also happy knowing I would be going back home. We packed our things early that day, made sure everything was ready, and headed to the airport in the afternoon. Our flight was at 5 p.m., and I was really excited because it had been a while since I last ride a plane. When we arrived at the airport, I looked around and saw other people also waiting for their flights. Everyone seemed busy some taking pictures, others sitting quietly while waiting. I sat by the window for a while, watching the planes take off and land. The sky was starting to turn golden because it was late afternoon. I could feel the excitement growing inside me. After a few minutes, we were called to board the plane.  As soon as I found my seat beside the window, I got even more excited. I love looking out from the plane because you can see so many beautiful views from up high. When the plane started moving, I felt the light vibration under my feet, and soon we were in the sky. I looked out and saw the land below slowly getting smaller. The houses, trees, and roads all looked tiny from above.   The view was amazing. The clouds looked so soft, like cotton candy floating in the sky. The sunlight reflected on them, turning them golden and pink as the sun began to set. I took out my phone and started taking pictures. It was too beautiful not to capture. Below, I could still see the sea and some small islands. Everything looked peaceful and calm from up there. As the minutes passed, I noticed the sky slowly changing its color. The bright orange from the sunset turned to soft purple, and then dark blue. It was so fast one moment it was still bright, then suddenly, night had fallen. The city lights started to appear below, glowing like tiny stars scattered across the land. It was one of my favorite moments from the flight. Seeing the lights from above made me realize how big and beautiful the world really is.   I rested my head on the window and just watched quietly. The night view was relaxing the blinking lights of the plane wing, the faint sound of the engine, and the calm darkness outside. I thought about my time in Bogo City and how much had happened. I remembered the days when my family stayed there after the earthquake, and how thankful I was that everyone was safe. I also thought about how different things would be now that I was heading back home. After a while, the flight attendants passed by to serve snacks and drinks. I got a small juice and a biscuit, then continued watching the night view outside. It felt peaceful, and I couldn’t help but smile. It was one of those quiet moments where you just feel thankful thankful for family, safety, and the chance to go home again.  As the plane continued flying, I saw more lights below, which meant we were getting closer to the city. I could already imagine the familiar roads and places in Valencia, Bukidnon. I missed the cool air, the mountains, and the comfort of home. Even though my stay in Bogo was meaningful, there’s really something special about going back to where you belong. When the pilot announced that we were about to land, I felt both excited and a little nervous. I looked out one last time at the night sky. It was quiet and full of stars, and I whispered a small “thank you” for the safe flight. Soon, the plane slowly descended, and I could see the lights from the airport below getting brighter. The landing was smooth, and when we finally touched down, I felt a wave of relief and happiness. I gathered my things, stood up, and looked around everyone seemed happy to have arrived too. As I stepped out of the plane, the cool Bukidnon air greeted me, and I smiled. It felt so good to be home again. That short flight from Bogo to Valencia may have been just a few hours, but it gave me time to reflect, appreciate the beauty of the world from above, and feel thankful for life. Watching the sunset turn into night through the plane window was truly a moment I’ll never forget.