Going Home
Five years
ago a twist of fate was put right into our path of life, a company from The
Netherlands was recruiting my husband and they were pushing pretty hard. We did
all sorts of research, asked family and close friends how everyone felt about
us leaving and moving overseas, and consulted with our three children. Really
we left our fate up to our 15 year old daughter. We would be pulling her out of
her high school and moving her around the world where the people speak a language
she’d never been exposed to and to people she had never met. Two of our girls were already in college
and wanted to stay in the US to finish up their schooling. Our littlest one
cried for about a half hour then said.... Let’s Go!
Amy's first class trip ~ Barcelona!
It was this courageous
little girl who would march off to Europe with her eyes wide open, while her
Mommy tried to hold onto her hand a little longer. Her bravery helped me to
overcome my fear and jump on board this amazing opportunity in our lives.
So on a
summer day, actually the 4th of July, our family left for a new life
journey. My family would spend the next
5 years being ever so grateful for the opportunity we had to live and really
explore Europe. And as the song above makes you feel... it was a fabulous ride! I jumped in with my eyes wide open and my heart ready to
embrace all. Along the way I met some amazing people. Trying my best to be a
part of my new community, I wiggled my way right into their lives and let them
change mine forever.
Nico, who
owned the dry cleaner I took my husband’s shirts to, was the funniest tough
guy. He was gruff and didn’t want to speak to me in English. Well, a guy can
only take so many smiles, pleases and thank you’s before he’s gonna crack.
Yep... under that gruff exterior was a man who was kind, funny, giving and
always willing to help me with my Dutch. I swear I could count change backwards
before I could even count forwards. My favorite surprise was when I received a
Christmas card from him in Texas. And
the funniest story was when I was in the States, my husband went to the dry
cleaners to pick up his shirts. Well, speaking in English he tried to explain
that he had forgotten the slip to be able to pick up his shirts. NO Nico told
himl. Spreek Enges! Todd fumbled with his Dutch and Nico just
gruffed at him. Then Todd told him, my wife Lisa usually picks up my shirts.
Well..... said Nico that’s different!!!! You are Lisa’s Man! Big smiles all
around. hahahahThank
you Nico for being my first friend.
My friends
at the market.... especially the manager who force fed Drop to me and my friend
Trevor once he heard we had never had it.
(Totally Disgusting)
My very favorite neighbors... ever! Rob and Evelyn, they not only share a love for each other and their family, they love traveling the world. They are truly living life! Thank you for being such a kind guide post in my life.
Kirby and Murphy from the flower shop
that I visited each week.
And Corine and the girls from my favorite clothing
store in town.
My favorite hair stylist ~ Joop
Evelyn from Sligro
My friends who took amazing care of our fur babies Dirk and Bear when Mommy and Daddy would travel. Their home was our boys second home <3 Kempisch Dierenpension. John and Ria thank you so very much!!
Daan and Didi who were our first landlords but more than that, our first friends. Welcoming us not only to their home but showing us around our new city. Where to shop, where to get whatever and our first call if we needed help. Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. Thank you.
So many I could go on and on but collectively they made my stay
welcoming and helped me make The Netherlands a home.
People who when I would
ride by on my bike would smile, wave and stop me for a conversation... in
English of course.
I got so lucky
with our two homes that we rented. Our first home in Eindhoven. We rented our
landlords childhood home. So we tenderly did our best to watch over her. We
loved that house. My favorite part was that Amy’s bedroom was on the 3rd
floor.... we called it the Princess Tower. The house overlooked a beautiful
park with many lakes. So many memories of walking my dogs around those lakes.
Just stunning!!
Our second
house I loved not only for the beautiful home but also because I was able to
become a part of the small village of Leende. There were parades that would
come marching down the street, people would honk their horns when we dressed
our hippopotamuses for the different holidays. And when Amy graduated from the
International school we had the typical American graduation party.
Amy
All of her
sisters and brothers flew over along with her grandma and her grandpa for the
big event. We hung both flags outside with Amy’s backpack hanging from the flag
pole indicating that we had a graduate. People honked as they drove past. It
was just so nice to feel part of the community.
When we
moved to The Netherlands, I was a complete emotional wreck. Yes, it was an
exciting time, but I was leaving two of my children in the States. Some people
when they move to another country take just their clothes and rent furniture
and stuff. Me.... I took almost everything. I was creating a home away from home.
I was going to need a few familiar
things. When the kids all came over for a visit, they were not just coming to
Europe for a vacation. They were coming to Mom and Dad’s. They were coming
home. And waiting for them were the furniture they had grown up with, bedrooms
they were used to and our dogs and their sister.
The Fam Bam
My favorite Kissing Dutch Couple (Grandma and Grandpa)
Kevin and Sarah heading into Eindhoven for a date.
Marie, Daniel and I in Berlin at the Christmas Markets
Ahhh Paris
A little photo bombing in Delft
Love in Paris
Pushed her way past all the tourist for a selfie with the Mona Lisa
Everyone truly loved having a
home in The Netherlands and a home in the States. It kind of made us all feel
better knowing the separation would not last forever. After Amy graduated from
the ISE (International School of Eindhoven), she left with her sisters and
brothers to go back to America. I think I cried for 6 months. But the separation
became much easier as I knew she was in love with her University. I will
forever have the memories of our time together with all of my children in The
Netherlands
I cannot
fully explain the amazing people we met that became our friends. Friends that
were all thrown into this same kind of experience at the same time. Some
friends leaving before me and some that are still there. The only word I have
is, blessed. It’s like the stars all aligned at the right time.
Making chocolate
Sam, Ruxi and I doing Halloween the right way
Marja... the essence of kindness
Silka, my German born, American raised met in The Netherlands but now living back in Germany friend. Thank you for all your hard work on the Stolperstiens and for sharing your story with me.
Group hug! Maurice, Nancy and I.
My crew... we had just watched the Dutch airmen do their stunt tricks and we decided we were leaving the next day for Luxemburg to visit Patton's grave. Apparently also in the middle of all those biers on the table I bought a wine barrel table It's stunning!!
Lori, Joe, Jonathon, Me and Todd
Carla, my most hysterical, loving loyal friend who could take Martha Stewart on in a hostess matchoff! *is that even a thing? hahaha
7 women, 7 hearts, 7 souls.... these women are my soul... laughter, love, lots and lots of wine and good food and a lifetime of memories. Never will I forget the bond we all hold and cherish. We may be all scattered around the world now but love holds us together. Angelica, Ruxi, Carla, Ana, Patrice and our beautiful Kim.
Robert turned 50 so of course he should be surrounded by beautiful women!
Ruxi, me, Robert, Ana and Angelica (where the heck was Carla?)
Spooky night with friends... Ruxi, Patrice, me, Jessica and Jane
Christina and I at Bierfest in Brussels... fabulous event and so much fun with friends!
Carla and I enjoying a little glass during another fab party.
My Cultural Club friends toasting to another amazing event.. the Mauritshuis in The Hague. From left.. Yvonne, Olivia, Linda, Colleen, Kim, Meredith and Jessica.
Ruxi and I on our way to see The Girl with the Pearl Earing at the Mauritshuis in The Hague since 1902.
Linda and I attempting our first Carnival.. and discovering we were quite good at it!
Girls trip to Tuscany... Florence, Vienna and Pisa
Carrie, Linda, me and Megan
Girls gone wild otherwise known as Ana's Birthday party!
IWCE Coffee Morning group. Always a lot of fun!!
Linda and I in Florence
Me with Carla.. I think King's Day (I'm in Orange)
Sleep over with my girls. Girls really never grow up, we just find more fascinating things to talk about and have better make up and champagne. But the truth is women need each other. It's very empowering to have other women in your life. And these are the women I pick.
Carrie and I bussing to the wine vineyard in Tuscany for a little lunch and wine.
Ruxi and Alex's last night... the gathering of friends to say goodbye. Matthew, Arno, Carla, Linda me,Alex.
Me and Megan in Florence.
Let's make cheese!
4th of July celebration in The Netherlands with my American friends!
Christine, Linda, Jessica, Me, Sam
The most amazing trip with friends to Champagne, France. Love, bonding, laughter and lots and lots of champagne. Jane, Christine, Kathy, Me, Amy, Monica, Jessica and Meredith.
A little glass of vino? Ruxi, Angelica and me.
Ruxi and I off to see the Witches Weigh Station
me Becky and Megan in Postel, Belgium... just having lunch
Saying goodbye to our Megan... Olivia, me, Carrie, Wendy, Megan and Linda
Fab shoes made by Carrie!
Celebrating International Women's Day with fabulous women!
me, Ruxi, Linda, and Katja
Saying goodbye to our good friends
me, Todd, Pete, Kelly
Christmas marketing in Monschau, Germany
Kelly, Linda, Me, Jennifer, Hope, Megan
Maurice and I lunching in Leende
Ruxi and I celebrating friendship
Fabulous trips lovingly planned to go to Italy
and France making memories to last a lifetime. Countless nights gathered with
friends with a glass of wine and the most fabulous dinner. My American friends
that already knew how important it was to be able to gather for Halloween,
Thanksgiving and even the 4th of July. You can take the girl out of
America but you can’t take the American out of the girl.
Having
friends in a foreign land is an amazing experience but so is having your
friends come over from America to visit. Our family was blessed to have several
of our friends come over for a visit or just to say they were passing through
and wanting to meet up.
Sarah biking around Eindhoven.
Cheryl and I in Postel, Belgium
Dawn, me and Beth in Amsterdam!
Dawn and I in Rome
Scott and Trevor in Normandy
Todd and Chris in London
me and Kathy in London
Amy and Peyton getting some puppy love.
C
Cheryl and I cursing around Amsterdam.
Mark and I meeting up before I got to go to the concert to see him play with Barbara Streisand.
The perfect night
Karen and I drinking Belgium beer in Postel, Belgium. My favorite place.
Selena and I enjoying a moment away from the puppy. The mommies were tired. Selena brought me Dirk, all the way from Texas. He is the best little boy! It's cause he has two mama's
Fam Bam just sitting around the table chatting. Peyton, Trevor, Kevin, Sarah, Amy
Sarah and I cruising in Amsterdam and somehow ended up being IN the Gay Pride Parade. That was kind of fun!!
Scott and Dawn in Rome at the Vatican
Not only did it make my stay in The Netherlands so
incredible, I loved being able to show my friends the beauty of Europe. There
really is such a difference of traveling through Europe staying at hotel after
hotel and being able to take your friends to your favorite places you have
discovered over time. And then at night bring them home to the comfort of your
home. We are beyond blessed and thankful for those special times with family
and dear friends.
But, our
time in The Netherlands has come to a close. We are already Stateside, making
our way slowly back into the American culture. And yes, there is culture shock
on both sides. I remember when arriving in The Netherlands all the many
differences and questions of why in the world people would be doing things so
differently. But now I’m back here wondering the same questions. I wonder why
more people aren’t biking or walking and really wish America would take the
care to bring cities together to build more community togetherness. Instead of
supersizing our shops and restaurants, build more closely and intimate
environments, bringing us together, not pulling us apart. I wish our airlines
and railway systems would be more people friendly and affordable so more of us
to travel around this wonderful land we call America. I wish the US would stop
spraying chemicals on our food and adding preservatives. I don’t mind going to
the store to buy fresh food every other day and actually prefer eating healthy
food. The convenience factor here in the US is actually fabulous and evil all wrapped
into one. It’s so easy to drive through to pick up a sandwich for lunch but so
much more healthy and cost effective to just make one at home. I will miss all
the incredible traveling I did while living in Europe and so grateful most of
the places were just a small car ride away or a very cheap to fly. I have some
incredible memories that will last a lifetime.
But I will
say, I am so ever grateful to be home.
Jammin to my favorite tune.... feeling Very American
Yes, there is an actual part of coming
home after being an expat that is depressing. This is one of the reasons I
chose to wait 6 months to finish my blog. But I have been surrounded by my
children and best friends. And when there is that much love and support around
you there is little time to dwell on what life used to be like just a few short
months ago. And what has this time away in Europe taught me? Well, not to take
this time on earth for granted is one thing for sure. Embrace change with open
arms and be open to new ideas. Travel, travel, travel!!! See the world and meet
the people who are different from yourself. Respect, be kind and be humble. Oh
and yes... try learning a new language. Even if you’re just trying... it’s a
great way to meet others.
Here are a
few places I’ve been to while on my journey to rediscover my home. God Bless
the USA!!
Road Trippin thru Texas, Y'all!
Cadillac Ranch
Vegas with my sister Jannie and brother in law Larry but missing my Jennifer and Dennis
Texas Bluebonnets
Back home with my bestie, Dawn!
Crawfish Boil.... lots of friends, food, beer, music... all for a good cause.
Up to Iowa for Mom's Weekend for Amy's Sorority.. so much fun!
Hawaii with our Bestie's Scott and Dawn... No kids this time. Just the adults.
Visiting Pearl Harbor
Heading to the monument over the USS Arizona
Oil still leaking from the USS Arizona. Just devastating. Those poor boys.
Road trippin in Iowa to the beautiful Bridges of Madison County.
After boo hooing through the movie my daughter spent a summer day driving the back roads of Iowa to the famous covered bridges. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, I recommend it for a good cry. Plus how can you go wrong with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep?
To all my friends in The Netherlands, thank you so kindly for being a part of my life and allowing me to be a part of yours. I am forever grateful for your kindness and blessed to call you my friends.
Love,
Lisa
American Girl out!
