Home is Where the Heart is

     It's another beautiful day in Grenada; the sun is shining, the air is fragrant with the ever-present scent of tropical flowers, and my car, clothes, and shoes are full of sand from the beach--the mark of a very good day, to be sure.  Still, as we near the end of another term here on this tiny rock in the middle of the big, blue ocean, I find myself thinking a lot of "home."  Where is that, exactly? Is it here in Grenada or is it back in Texas? Maybe "home" is in some other place that I haven't been to yet.  Home.  Never before has a simple word held so much meaning, mystery, and intrigue for me.

     You never know where life is going to lead you--that much I've learned.  I've also learned to never--and I mean NEVER--say never.  I mean, seriously...look where I am!  Did I ever in my wildest dreams or imagination think that, at the age of 40, I would sell almost everything I own and move to another country...on an island...in the Caribbean???...or that I would be home schooling my 13-year-old daughter and not working for the first time in eons?  Negative, Ghostrider.  Who knew that the Universe has a sense of humor? ;-)

     I struggled with this move at first.  There were so many changes--EVERYTHING changed--and there were days when I just wanted to stay in bed, because I felt scared, lonely, and confused, and I just thought, "What's the point?"  For a brief time, I lost my way...my sense of purpose...my goals...my personal "mission statement," if you will.  I did get out of bed, though...every day...and I brushed my teeth, and I combed my hair, and I kept putting one foot in front of the other and doing yoga (LOTS and LOTS of yoga--lol), and, before long, I found my way again.  The way looks and feels different than before, but it's mine, and, strangely enough, it still feels like "home."

     Home, sweet home...it truly is wherever the heart is.  Home is the infectious laughter of my daughter, her smile--radiant as the sun, or her soft cheek pressed against mine as she gives me one of her awesome hugs.  Home is the familiar and comforting scent of my husband and the way that he makes me feel like the most loved woman in the world.  Home is the sunshine warming my face, the breeze ruffling my hair, and the sand or grass between my toes.  It's the first sip of my morning coffee, the smell of fresh-baked banana bread, my favorite song on the radio, and the "ahhh" moment of slipping into freshly-laundered sheets at night.  The laughter, tears, and time shared with family and friends...the sweet, wet puppy-kisses from my dog...the pride and excitement I feel for David when he passes a hard exam or for Jordan when she achieves another dive certification...the joy that comes from doing things that light up my soul and make me feel alive--yep, it all feels like "home."  Home is wherever I feel happy, loved, and grateful, which I've learned can be anywhere and everywhere.  The path may have twists and turns, but it's always lit for us.  We just have to remember to keep our eyes open.

     I have no idea where life is taking me, and that's okay.  After all, home is where the heart is.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go rinse the beach sand out of my shower...did I mention that today was a very good day?... ;-)