I am in a sentimental mood today. I returned home yesterday after visiting with my oldest daughter Beth and her family for the Christmas holiday. I had a wonderful time with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. But like most of us when we travel out of town, it was such a good feeling for me to travel safely back to Our Treehouse, back to that familiar nest.

I got to thinking about that feeling of returning home. So many of us at this time of the year are traveling to gather with people that own a piece of our hearts. They are our Treasures. In my own family my daughter Jan has returned with her Andrew from North Carolina, and Beth and her family have now flown to Texas and will return home next week. That got me to thinking there are other ways to return home. It’s not just about a building that I live in and refer to as my place of residence. Actually, I think home means many things.

I felt very much at home in Tennessee visiting my family. The Christmas tree, the presents wrapped in their bright, festive colors that sat under the tree, that feeling of anticipation in the air that involved a man in a red suit, playing basketball with my grandkids on the driveway, drinking warm eggnog with a little bourbon, eating great food, watching football on TV, dancing with my nine year young granddaughter Karys, (She has named us the Argentina Sisters and I have no idea why, but the little girl in me absolutely loves our name!) playing the card game Rummy as a family, and watching the kids open their presents on Christmas morning, all felt like home to me. Mostly I think because it was all about the gift of spending time with some of my family.

Then last night three of the Foxy Hags came to my house to eat leftovers from Robin’s Christmas dinner, and to play cards by the fireplace. The hot, crackling fire was shooting off red and blue flames, heating up the room, but it was the companionship and laughter of the Foxy Hags that warmed my heart. Reddogg was lying on the floor of the living room, and Pan was sleeping in his makeshift bed on the front porch glider. Again I felt at home, and once again with family.

The Sunday before Christmas Day, I zoomed with my spiritual center, Louisville Center for Spiritual Living, sharing in a service that honored many holiday traditions and was filled with wonderful holiday music. I was magically transported to a special place in my heart, surrounded by my tribe, and somehow feeling I was one with all the Universe! I was home, sitting with like-minded people and celebrating life.

I think of people who are separated from the people they love on special holidays, especially military folks who are stationed far away and wish they could be home with their families. Blessings on them and the sacrifices they make. I think of those of us who are lucky enough to be reunited with someone we love after a period of separation, and we can reach out to hug and hold one another. That, too, is a feeling of coming home and has nothing to do with a building we live in. That, too, is a magical feeling.

I think of Grandmother Tree, whose protective and loving guardianship blesses this house and property I live on. She stands tall and majestic on the east side of the house. And Grandfather Tree, standing equally tall and majestic on the south side of Our Treehouse, I must not forget him. Perhaps he is ‘the wings beneath her branches’. Together they offer shelter to multiple beings. Yes, I think home means many things, depending on who we are. It’s such a nice word isn’t it? Home.

c   Love, Joan

north carolina, texas