Odysseus was gone for too long. He spend decades trying to get home and still, his wife, his son, and even his servants were all constantly anxious to have him back. They all missed him and throughout the whole time that he was away, and not only they had never given up on the idea that he'd return home, you can see that his son honored Odysseus by trying to get rid of the suitors (his son). Once he is home, the welcoming is very warm. And he and his son kill together those who were in his house bothering his family.
