Re: Welcome to Holland sequel

July 5, 2001

Did someone here want this?

Cheryl

> Celebrating Holland - I'm Home> By > (my follow-up to the

original " Welcome to Holland " by Perl Kingsley)>> 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, butHolland> 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 beena> 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 planshad> 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

thisnew> 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 (andstill> 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 matterwhere> 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 directorof> the Family Support Institute in Vancouver, BC www

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