October 15, 2007

Going Home, Coming Home...and what if you don't have a home?f You Can't Beat Them....

I've been travelling lately and I've just returned to the place I currently call home.My husband and I took advantage of his time off as a firefighter and headed west to visit our beloved daughter on the coast of BC. I can see why they used to say "go west young man." Surrounded by mountains and never more than 30 minutes to the ocean the place she calls home is quite beautiful. I miss her terribly but she's so happy and I'm a mom who is happiest when my children are well and full of joy. What more can I ask?

While I was driving today past the river I had the luck to see a flock of geese making their way north along the river's edge. I thought to myself "they're heading home" just like I was doing. But what did that mean: heading home, coming home and going home?

When I returned home I started raking leaves, a wonderfully fall thing to do, which allows me the opportunity to ponder and reflect: so I did. Going home, coming home, heading home.....what if you had no home?

While I was away I met many people who are travelers of this place we call Mother Earth. They have been to Nepal, Tibet, China, Turkey, Iran, Mexico, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Europe....so many places. They did not have a place that they called "home" except to say that the Earth was their home. Fascinating conversations from fascinating people: I learned a lot from them but one of the things I heard from many of these travelers was that they would prefer, right now, to have a place to rest for a while: a place of their own: a place to make their own little nest in this part of the world. They were ready to stop traveling for a little while but it wouldn't be in the place I met them. That's just way too expensive and there is too little affordable housing: so on they go. That made me sad for the loss they would be leaving within that community.

I have worked with street kids in the past: it's something I love to do. They don't have homes either, most of them, but luckily they may be able to find some sort of affordable accomodation in a big city. I know I will get people asking me where to find such housing and I don't have an answer for you but it's a heck of a lot easier here in Toronto than where I just came from.

Coming home evokes many images for me: safety, warmth, comfort, familiarity, family, safe shelter and safe havens from the many storms of life. Going home is, to me, about traveling, being on a journey and knowing there is a place to return to....I wondered what it must feel like to be constantly moving, nomadic, never settling, not knowing where "home" will be for the next night. It's fun for a while but doesn't it get wearying?

I don't know what the answer is for homelessness. I have a few ideas though. They involve people opening their doors, sharing with people they don't know, stopping to acknowledge a homeless person and asking if they need help instead of stepping over their gear in the middle of the street, offering financial aid, giving up some of our hard earned dollars to support those not so fortunate as us, supporting people who can't support themselves. Instead of NIMBY (not in my back yard) I suggest we start a IMBY (in my back yard) campaign. Get to know people, learn what makes them tick, what they love, what they want to do...you'd be surprised at how similar we all are if you stop to take the time....How cool would that be?

This week, when you step out into the air, and it feels a little chillier than it has for a few months, won't you take some time to acknowledge those who don't have the choice to step out of their own homes? I have asked people in the past why they won't stop and talk to people on the streets and the usual reply is "I'm afraid they might hurt me." Well let me tell you this..that could happen. But, if you are living your life with integrity, not acknowledging another person hurts you even deeper.

Me....whether I'm coming home, going home or staying home I'll do my best to stop and see how I can help.

Thanks for listening.

Living la vida fearless

Jan