This is lilting and evocative! Home for me has grasslands in it, wide open untrammeled expanses - the Flint Hills of Kansas - my first “accidental” trip into them as a teenager in a borrowed car - I didn’t want to leave! But also, having moved around a lot, I found other earthy elements that caressed my soul - the Rockies, the woods of New England…home is where I feel small and expansive all at once , where I am am freed to be utterly grateful .
Beautifully said, Kathryn! I can understand your love of the Flint Hills of Kansas--such a gloriously open and rolling landscape with prairie that ripples like ocean waves. That idea of landscapes that fill our souls, and allow us to expand into the universe but still awe us to our proper size (as you said, small) is at the essence of home, I think. As is the gratitude.
For an Iowa girl, finding "Home" in New Mexico was a bit strange at first. Yet I knew when I drove into the southwest corner of the state that I wanted to live there. I love my actual house in Santa Fe and the community of people around me and am amazed that I've lived in this house for over twenty years. That is the longest I've ever lived in one house. Yet even though I do not intend to move back to Silver City, that is where my heart calls "HOME".
I can imagine how strange New Mexico must have seemed at first! Yet, you made a home out of Silver City, and your heart is still at home there. I think we can have more than one home, including at least one that speaks to our hearts and one where we happily live, as you do.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful explanation/exploration of home. As a mid-Atlantic city girl, I was spell bound the first time I visited Santa Fe and knew I had to find out why it felt like "home" to me. Having now lived here for 21 years, I can honestly say it is my true home... on every level. Noun and verb, speaking. And that includes finding you and becoming sisters.
Isn't it interesting the circuitous routes we take to finding our home--as if we were homing pigeons without a clue and just flew in the right direction by chance! I am glad you found Santa Fe, and that we found each other as family of choice!
This is lilting and evocative! Home for me has grasslands in it, wide open untrammeled expanses - the Flint Hills of Kansas - my first “accidental” trip into them as a teenager in a borrowed car - I didn’t want to leave! But also, having moved around a lot, I found other earthy elements that caressed my soul - the Rockies, the woods of New England…home is where I feel small and expansive all at once , where I am am freed to be utterly grateful .
Beautifully said, Kathryn! I can understand your love of the Flint Hills of Kansas--such a gloriously open and rolling landscape with prairie that ripples like ocean waves. That idea of landscapes that fill our souls, and allow us to expand into the universe but still awe us to our proper size (as you said, small) is at the essence of home, I think. As is the gratitude.
For an Iowa girl, finding "Home" in New Mexico was a bit strange at first. Yet I knew when I drove into the southwest corner of the state that I wanted to live there. I love my actual house in Santa Fe and the community of people around me and am amazed that I've lived in this house for over twenty years. That is the longest I've ever lived in one house. Yet even though I do not intend to move back to Silver City, that is where my heart calls "HOME".
I can imagine how strange New Mexico must have seemed at first! Yet, you made a home out of Silver City, and your heart is still at home there. I think we can have more than one home, including at least one that speaks to our hearts and one where we happily live, as you do.
This is beautiful, Susan. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading my words, Lori. I so appreciate your compliment and support.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful explanation/exploration of home. As a mid-Atlantic city girl, I was spell bound the first time I visited Santa Fe and knew I had to find out why it felt like "home" to me. Having now lived here for 21 years, I can honestly say it is my true home... on every level. Noun and verb, speaking. And that includes finding you and becoming sisters.
Isn't it interesting the circuitous routes we take to finding our home--as if we were homing pigeons without a clue and just flew in the right direction by chance! I am glad you found Santa Fe, and that we found each other as family of choice!