There's no place like home...

Everybody knows, there's no place like home anywhere!!

 

 

It's been over 60 hours since we left our hotel in Kakinada India

and we are now finally home!!!!

 

We were greeted into temperatures of 15 degrees

but it didn't matter because our chauffer Bob had

heated seats in his vehicle... :)

 

On our way home we made a side stop at the Tybrings

where we were greeted by friends and food;

ya' know it's so important to ease yourself back into things!!

What a great first opportunity to share our stories!

 

And finally when we arrived at home we found a

delicious chocolaty treat waiting on our table for us, YUM YUM!!

Thank you Komros!

 

Gee, but it's great to be back home!!

 

As I reflect on what it means for my family to be "home"

and what "home" meant to all those whose houses we

visited in India, there is definitely one come denominator...

home is where the heart is.

The dictionary says home is

a place where you live, a building to live in;

but I think it's so much more...

recalling how happy people were to welcome us into there home,

it had little to do with the size, or what possessions were inside

and everything to do with the feelings that were ever present there.

Sadly to say, some were not a "happy home", but most were.

Again, it had nothing to do with size or possessions.

For today my hope for you is that you may view your home

not by the size or what you all have in it;

but rather the feeling you and others get when you are there.

If your home does not make your heart feel good,

you don't need to tear down any walls,

simply create the environment that brings your soul peace and joy;

and that is where your heart will want to be.

 

May your house keep you safe and warm,

may your home be like a hand knit quilt wrapped around your heart!

 

Namaste'

~Jenny

 

p.s. keep an eye out for thoughts from the rest of my family as

they reflect on our India experience. 

 



From one extreme to the next

It's hard to make sense of it all!

 

 We woke up still a bit tired from the previous days festivities; but were charged at the thought of heading home, in spite of the fact that we heard from many of you how cold it is back in Wisconsin!  We left Rajamundry on time thus beginning our long journey that was in front of us.

 

We arrived in Hyderabad and hankered down for our scheduled 

12 hour layover...oh what a night, it's hard to truly rest when you're

crammed into a a tight area on metal chairs trying not to fall to deeply off to sleep as you are being mindful to your surroundings.

 And we thought sleeping in our van on road trips was tough! :)

After 12 hours we became a bit discouraged when we found out that

our flight was delayed by almost 2 hours.  In fear of missing our 

connecting flight, the airline assured us it wouldn't be a problem

and that they wouldn't leave without us, so we put our minds at rest and

finally got a little sleep on the 3 1/2 hour flight to Abu Dhabi.  

Well, guess what...

they didn't wait for us. :(

Now after standing in line for another hour we got the final verdict

that we were dreading...no more flights available today.

I must say that at that point we were about to loose it; 

however the airline said they would put us up in a hotel for the night

and we could catch the next out going flight in the morning.

Although it's not what we wanted to hear, we were grateful that we

wouldn't have to spend another night on airport chairs.

So we boarded the complimentary shuttle and headed off to the hotel,

enjoying the sights along the way.

We finally arrived at a hotel that was like none we've ever had the

luxury of staying at; the lobby alone was like something

out of the lifestyles of the rich and famous!!

 

Then there were the accommodations...

we were issued adjoining rooms with 

sleeping space enough for each of us!!

 

We were informed that there was a complimentary 

lunch, dinner, and breakfast buffet so that we could get a bite to eat.

There was anything and everything you could possibly want

all while enjoying the live musician who created a festive atmosphere!

 

You must keep in mind that this is a resort hotel that most

come to vacation at...here we were a weary family who had

been sleeping in their clothes for the past 18 hours.

Loobie hit the nail on the head when she said 

"I feel like Cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation

compared to others dining there".

 

As we sat enjoying the abundant variety of food in front of us

and anticipated making a stop at the chocolate fondue fountain,

we all couldn't help but bring our minds back to India.

Recalling the big Celebration the day before 

when so many kids were excited to simply get the daily staple

of rice along with some pieces of chicken and sauce.  

They were all so happy!

Now here we were, surrounded by more food choices then we could

appreciate, in accommodations that greatly surpass anything we're used to.

 

What's a person to do with all this?!?!

Of course we are happy to be here enjoying all the special treatment,

but does it exceed what we experienced in India?

Absolutely not!!!

Then again, shouldn't everyone be entitled to special treatment?!?!

What makes some luckier than others??

If you're thinking that if you keep reading on I'm going to give you the profound answers to all this, I'm sorry to say you're wrong.

I wish I knew why some live a life that is so much harder than others,

and some have more than they know what to do with, but I don't.

What I do know is this...

we should all live with an attitude of gratitude,

for it is those who can find happiness in what they have 

that truly have it all.

Oh Joy for the grateful people I've met during these past two weeks!!

As for the rest of us, 

I believe that by choosing not to appreciate what you have

is the greater insult to those who have so little.

 

For right now, this grateful heart is going to go soak in the bathtub

while my family takes a nap;

and in the peacefulness of the moment 

I will give thanks for my bountiful blessings.

 

Namaste'

~Jenny

p.s. speaking of gratitude...I just wanted those of you who have sent us messages of encouragement to know how much we've appreciated them;

every morning we started our day off together reflecting on the previous days events and preparing our hearts for what the new day would hold.

This time together always included reading blog comments and

emails from family and friends back home.  

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us!!