Celebrating Holland

[Guest guest]

Celebrating Holland - I'm Home

By

(my follow-up to the original " Welcome to Holland " by Perl

Kingsley)

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I have been in Holland for over a decade now. It has become home. I

have had time to catch my breath, to settle and adjust, to accept

something different than I'd planned.

I reflect back on those years of past when I had first landed in

Holland. I remember clearly my shock, my fear, my anger - the pain

and uncertainty. In those first few years, I tried to get back to

Italy as planned, but Holland was where I was to stay. Today, I can

say how far I have come on this unexpected journey. I have learned so

much more. But, this too has been a journey of time.

I worked hard. I bought new guidebooks. I learned a new language and

I slowly found my way around this new land. I have met others whose

plans had changed like mine, and who could share my experience. We

supported one another and some have become very special friends.

Some of these fellow travellers had been in Holland longer than I and

were seasoned guides, assisting me along the way. Many have

encouraged me. Many have taught me to open my eyes to the wonder and

gifts to behold in this new land. I have discovered a community of

caring. Holland wasn't so bad. I think that Holland is used to

wayward travellers like me and grew to become a land of hospitality,

reaching out to welcome, to assist and to support newcomers like me

in this new land. Over the years, I've wondered what life would have

been like if I'd landed in Italy as planned.

Would life have been easier? Would it have been as rewarding? Would I

have learned some of the important lessons I hold today?

Sure, this journey has been more challenging and at times I would

(and still do) stomp my feet and cry out in frustration and protest.

And, yes, Holland is slower paced than Italy and less flashy than

Italy, but this too has been an unexpected gift. I have learned to

slow down in ways too and look closer at things, with a new

appreciation for the remarkable beauty of Holland with its' tulips,

windmills and Rembrandts.

I have come to love Holland and call it Home.

I have become a world traveller and discovered that it doesn't matter

where you land. What's more important is what you make of your

journey and how you see and enjoy the very special, the very lovely,

things that Holland, or any land, has to offer.

Yes, over a decade ago I landed in a place I hadn't planned. Yet I am

thankful, for this destination has been richer than I could have

imagined!

( is a parent, advocate and presently the executive

director of the Family Support Institute in Vancouver, BC)