that old house

Just returned from 2 week stateside reunion w friends/families and had an absolutely fabulous time (more photos/stories to come). It was so, so, so wonderful to be back in the comfy environs of souls you immediately connect with, and it did my spirit good. Fully energized but completely exhausted, we returned to our simple life in Belgium, only to be greeted by chilly, rainy weather. Welcome home!

But this post isn't about looking for shortcomings in our current lifestyle. Rather it's to find the inspiration that brought us to this point in our life (or at least part of the inspiration). And after sitting on our terrace this evening, sipping on a Leffe, feeling the warm sun on my face, and listening to Laura's itunes, it seems all too clear. At least it does to me, that is.

Several times during our visit to Boardman, Ohio (former home for 4 years) the question of whether we missed our old home came up. Maybe it's all the yoga I've been doing, and learning how to "let go" and not be attached to things, but I've come to a point in my life where material things just don't matter as much anymore, esp. BIG things like houses and all the "stuff" that goes in them. [aside: however, i don't want to reduce our "home" in Boardman to just a house since what it represents is a unique community of like-minded people who love and cherish historic homes. That community feeling is what i will always miss.]

I loved our historic home in Boardman, don't get me wrong, but I feel a great sense of relief being a renter and not having the responsibility of fixing up and maintaining a property. It's been refreshing to break the spell of "go to college, get a job, get married and BUY A HOUSE". Owning a home, although maybe financially a wise decision, ties you down and takes away your freedom. You become a slave to your home, whether you like it or not.

Right now, we're enjoying the freedom to do things together as a family rather than worrying so much about what we have or don't have. Travelling is our TOP priority, and oftentimes we're able to combine it w/ visiting Stijn's family in Holland and Switzerland. Our greatest gift to the kids is to give them the world, by exposing them to different cultures and places and teaching them to be tolerant of other ways of thinking. Although after this US visit I realize Alex can name <50% of the states so we've got our homework cut out for us!

I'm sure there will come a time when we feel the need to be "owners" again (like already I'm feeling the urge to buy up natural areas and manage them for the birds!), but for now I feel like this is exactly where we need to be. If you know of some beautiful birdy places, maybe you can change my mind. But til then, Bon Voyage!