What does home mean to you?

Home is on the inside, as well as on the outside. Home is being in deep meditation, and feeling at one with all that is, wherever I am. Somewhere in between and underneath my thoughts and body thoughts (emotions). This happens to me a lot, as I thrive on connecting in oneness. Once it happened to me on a busy street in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, (my native country) while magestic oak trees let go of their leaves. I caught one, and yet it was shaped like a maple leaf! This told me that I was exactly where I was supposed to be, and that my home base was in North America. In fact, my presence was needed there!

Home is anywhere with a friend (old and new alike) who offers a quiet sanctuary, or a wild & wonderful party with a place to rest my body afterward. Home is being embraced by a loved one, and experiencing oneness together as we give and receive this love freely. It is that subtle yet deep sparkle in the center of my being, that lights up in recognition. Home is in bed with my soulmate and all or some of our three boys and our kittens.

I feel at home on a nature hike through the wooded swamp lands that surround my most current New York East Coast home. Maple trees, pine, spruce and oaks lend their wisdom and protection. Their scent is heaven sent. Their auras are huge, and pick up many wishes, their vibration resonates with gratitude the promise of fulfillment.

This home is where I share meals and dreams, written meanderings, conversations and prayers, sometimes expressed in song, or dance, or both. I share it with those I hold close to my heart, and with those who find their way to my home in need of assistance or advice, or in need to be of service. The door is ALWAYS open (never locked). It is a place where you can get out of your head, litterally, and connect with what truly matters.

There is sunshine and shade on the lawn which is a mixture of grasses, mosses and wild chives, strawberries, dandelions and other little wildflowers that surprise us by popping up during different times and seasons. And of course mushrooms love it here, and some are edible!

A bench here, a chair there, and a big round trampoline. Besides squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, and many kinds of birds, bugs and butterflies - the trees are the most welcoming and gracious hosts. One tree hosts a punching bag and a swing. Another hosts a baby swing. The echo of playful laughter and excitement resonates long after the children do what they do best. And there are flowers, wild and cultivated, living together in harmony. Our butterfly bushes are frequented by many species, and humming birds love them too.

Inside you'll find a lot of color, places to relax and places to play. Places to wash, and places to pray, or wonder. A large natural birch table that can handle 15 people at any given time. It smells like herbs and spice and everything nice. Sometimes all that is overpowered by a poopy diaper - or a fart ;-)

Next to the sliding doors to our patio, is a shelf unit, with many drums from just about every continent. Along with other percussion instruments and a few wooden flutes they are always ready for play. Drums provide a wonderful expression of the heart beat of our giving Earth. Wind instruments provide a clear channel with heavenly realms.

Between the birch table and the sliding doors, there's a walnut chest, bearing a bowl with our fiesty Betta fish: Abraham. Together with an amethyst crystal, some waterplants and now and then some fresh water or a few grains of salt, Abraham and I conspire in keeping the water in good condition. This Water provides an opportunity to tune into the mysteries and depths of our existance. Now that the thrilling chill of Autumn is upon us, there's a fire crackling in our woodburning stove. Fire provides an opportunity to reflect on what action is needed and the Air flow from the open windows provides answers as to how to carry out this action. The fire wood is always from branches and trees that were taken by storm. There's such an abundance of it, that we share it with others.

One thing resonates throughout this home: unconditional love. It is heartfelt, and expressed in many ways, shapes and forms. It is always there, even if one or some of us is temporarily out of touch.

This home is not our only home. We have a cabin in mountainous and wooded New York's Upper Catskills as well, and we aspire to have a new home as our journey in these magical wooded swamplands is coming to an end. The wishfulfilling trees and rainbows that have appeared on occasion have assured me that our next home is going to be equally beautiful and magical. Will there be maple trees??? I don't know, nor do I care. As long as I am surrounded by magical and majestic natural scenery, and a community of people and other living creatures. I envision an environment in which we can all contribute, share and thrive as a family within a family, with room and respect for individuality and privacy. There could be mountains, breathtaking sunsets and cacti, fig trees and citrus fruit bearing trees, or who knows...

I am grateful for who I am, where I am, what I have, and am open to change. I welcome it. I am listening for that call that I know is coming...