Welcome to Holland part 2

Welcome to Holland (Part 2)

 by Anonymous 

I have been in Holland for over a decade now. It has become home. I have had time to 

catch my breath, to settle and adjust, to accept something different than I'd planned. 

I reflect back on those years of past when I had first landed in Holland. 

I remember clearly my shock, my fear, my anger—the pain and uncertainty. In those 

first few years, I tried to get back to Italy as planned, but Holland was where I was to 

stay. Today, I can say how far I have come on this unexpected journey. I have learned 

so much more. But, this too has been a journey of time. 

I worked hard. I bought new guidebooks. I learned a new language and I slowly found 

my way around this new land. I have met others whose plans had changed like mine, 

and who could share my experience. We supported one another and some have 

become very special friends. 

Some of these fellow travelers had been in Holland longer than I and were seasoned 

guides, assisting me along the way. Many have encouraged me. Many have taught me 

to open my eyes to the wonder and gifts to behold in this new land. I have discovered 

a community of caring. Holland wasn't so bad. 

I think that Holland is used to wayward travelers like me and grew to become a land of 

hospitality, reaching out to welcome, to assist and to support newcomers like me in this 

new land. Over the years, I've wondered what life would have been like if I'd landed in 

Italy as planned. Would life have been easier? Would it have been as rewarding? Would 

I have learned some of the important lessons I hold today? 

Sure, this journey has been more challenging and at times I would (and still do) stomp 

my feet and cry out in frustration and protest. And, yes, Holland is slower paced than 

Italy and less flashy than Italy, but this too has been an unexpected gift. I have learned 

to slow down in ways too and look closer at things, with a new appreciation for the 

remarkable beauty of Holland with its' tulips, windmills and Rembrandts. 

I have come to love Holland and call it Home. 

I have become a world traveler and discovered that it doesn't matter where you land. 

What's more important is what you make of your journey and how you see and enjoy 

the very special, the very lovely, things that Holland, or any land, has to offer. 

Yes, over a decade ago I landed in a place I hadn't planned. Yet I am thankful, for this 

destination has been richer than I could have imagined!