The sequel to the Holland Story

[Guest guest]

Celebrating Holland- I'm Home by Cathy (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, but Holland was

where I was tostay. 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

havebecome 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

havediscovered 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'dlanded 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) stompmy feet and cry out in frustration and

protest. And, yes, Holland is slower paced thanItaly 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

appreciationfor 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 enjoythe 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!