On my way “home”…

On my way “home”…

There is more than one way to understand that phrase.

Today (June 30) I am driving “home” from Balsam Lake of the Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada.

I am not certain if I arrived “home” while I was there or if I am on my way home to Ohio in the United States.  The car is headed toward the International Border, PEACE BRIDGE.

Truth is, I don’t know where home is.  My experience of home is diverse.

Mom was faced with giving up her house, her home of over 30 years.  At that time, I was pastoring two churches, which was common for me. The churches were a three-hour drive apart.  Every other week, I lived in my Medina home.  During the alternate weeks, I lived in a parsonage.  

Mom was struggling with the idea of selling her home.  Confused by my living situation, she asked where she would live.  I reminded her that I have always had a place for her.  It was up to her to make that decision. 

She asked, “But, where would I live?  You are only here every other week.” 

I remember my reply, “Mom, think of it this way, wherever I am, is home.” 

When she embraced that idea, she came to enjoy the adventure of living one week in Medina and the next in the parsonage near the Ohio River.  She developed totally different groups of friends and enjoyed the variety of activities possible with this unique living arrangement.  Home had become a very different reality from what she had known.

In my younger days my job required continuous travel.  So much so, that I did not live anywhere.  I was the College Admissions Counselor for an Ohio College.  When I was in town, I stayed in a college dorm room. Sometimes I stayed in my parents’ home.  A strange thing happened, I would feel a homesick longing whenever I drove past a motel.  Motels had become “home.” 

Being an oblate of the Erie Benedictine Monastery, I made a commitment to spend time at the Monastery each month.  The Monks/Nuns take turns welcoming visitors at the front desk.  One of the nuns always greets me with a big smile and says, “Welcome Home!”  I feel extraordinarily at “home” when I am there. On my drive today I stopped at the Monastery and stayed overnight before completing my journey “home.”

My time on Balsam Lake was one of the most meaningful “Home” experiences one could have.  It is the “home” of total comfort in a beautiful natural lake setting.  It is the non-judgmental and totally free acceptance of each person. It is the saturating hospitality of hearts on fire with sharing.  It is healthy nourishing food and a place to sleep.  It is the spiritual giftedness of each person shared.  It is the lack of power struggles and the blessing of mutual teaching.  It is the freedom to not have to prove anything.  The freedom to simply be myself.  That is “Home.”

“Home” has a lot of manifestations that have erupted out of my life experience. 

What is your “Home”?  Where do you look for it? Who is part of your home?  Who shares “home” with you?  What is the “feel right” place for you?  What do you wish it could be?  How will you make that “home” your reality?

Hope to hear from you,

Carol