THE BLESSING OF LOVED ONES

I surprised myself by being eager to come back to Belgium.  While in Quebec, I was talking to a dear friend, Mo Umran.  Mo is from Syria but has lived most of his adult life in Canada.  We talked about the difference between one's 'homeland' and one's 'home'.  Syria is his homeland but Canada is his home.

That helped me understand the mix of emotions I was feeling on arriving back in Brussels: Canada is my homeland but Belgium is my home right now, so I was delighted to hear "Welcome home, Nancy!" when I arrived at church on Sunday morning.

How do you put into words that warm, comfortable blanket of feelings that flows over you when you are once again with dear friends and family that have known you for ages?  That's what going back to Quebec for two weeks was like.  I was able to be in my home church, see all my siblings, stay with my grandchildren and visit some dear friends as well.  It filled up my love bank and propelled me back to Brussels with wind in my sails.

                                                    my siblings John, Stephen and Kathy

                                my grandchildren Donovan and Gabrielle having fun with me

                                              some of my special young friends at church

                                            and I got my wish: a fullblown snowstorm!! :)