Holland Revisited

There are beautiful and amazing people in the world.

I went to Uni with one. She was the most generous and loving person imaginable. She was even a bridesmaid in my wedding and I in hers. We spent a lot of time together over many years, and then we drifted apart. Not due to any falling out or anything, just life you know?

Every now and then we make contact again, and it always makes me smile to hear from her.

I got a letter care of my parents on the weekend. I'd had a fairly tough morning trying to get the house ready for an open with four kids running amok, the Supertrucker on the road and my little mate being the most stimmy hyper full on little boy you could imagine. If you looked up autism in the dictionary you would've found a picture of him grinning wildly.

I opened it as we left the house, read the note and promptly burst into tears. We're running on fairly extreme stress at the moment. For this woman to take the time to send this to me... To care enough... Just for me to know she is out there reading and thinking of us... It was nothing short of amazing to me in that moment and I am so grateful.

You may remember my post about Holland. If not pop over and read it first.

My friend sent me this response to that text:
_ _ _ _ _ _
Celebrating Holland - I'm Home
by Cathy Anthony


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 travelers 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 travelers 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 traveler 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!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 


I am looking forward to the day I can embrace Holland as fully.



Thank you so much Butterfly. Just knowing you are out there means so much to me. Bless your beautiful heart <3