What feels like home to you? Is it a person, a place? Is it that coziness you feel when you’re nestled in with a good book or movie?
To me, home is so many places now. I often feel the pull of the Tennessee mountains where I grew up, and that will always be one home for me. And of course, Northwest Florida has been my home for longer than I’ve lived anywhere else. But now that my husband and I have grown children and a new grandbaby who all live further north, home is beginning to feel like wherever they are. So I suppose I have a multifaceted home heart! That’s fine by me.
In fact, I’ve been lucky enough to feel at home in many places in my life. It’s the people, more than the places, that make me feel that way. I envision sitting across the table from family and friends, talking and laughing, completely immersed in the feeling of love. That’s home. That’s my holiday wish for all of you.
The past two and a half years, I’ve felt at home and found friends here with Bella. It’s been a great joy to edit these pages, meet many of you, and share so many inspiring stories. But I’ve decided it’s time to step away so I can free up the time to focus on family, teaching (my primary job) and myself. I think I finally learned I can’t do it all! In a way, I look at this as a sort of homecoming itself — carving out the time to reflect on my own goals and dreams, and to enjoy a little quiet in this ever-busy mind I have. This issue at the end of the year seemed like the perfect time to wrap it up and put a bow on it. It’s been a beautiful gift!
Whether you’re staying home or heading out, hosting a houseful or enjoying a quiet respite on your own, I hope your holiday season is full of joy, hope and love. Soak up the spirit of the season and sprinkle some of it around as you go.
Happy holidays, Bellas!
— Lisa Player
