For a long time the idea of "home" was important to me. Not so much anymore, because I've finally figured out just exactly where and what my true home is. But for many years I wondered where I felt most at home; where I wanted my ashes to be scattered. That's not as morbid as it seems. Many people like to leave their remains in the place where they felt they truly belonged, or a place that was deeply a part of them. I've discussed this topic a few times in the past with friends who knew exactly where they wanted their remains to be scattered or buried.Places in nature, such as forests, fields, hills, mountains, rivers and streams have been favoured locations with the people I've spoken to on the topic. I was always envious of the people who knew so well where they wanted their last resting place to be. For some reason it was important to me to determine where mine was. I always longed to be able to name it.
That particular issue of mine has finally been resolved. At long last I'm able to name my true home. It's not that I haven't loved or appreciated where I grew up, or the various places I've spent happy times throughout my life. I have revelled in a number of beautiful, natural settings, and think of them fondly. The woods I played in as a child meant much to me, and it still matters to me that they remain preserved for generations to come. But that was a long time ago, and putting myself to rest there doesn't work for me anymore. My world has expanded since then. And that's exactly what I've come to realise - that the whole world is my home.
Planet Earth is my true home. Even pictures of places I've never been move me deeply, and remind me of how much I revere Nature. That is why Earth is also my religion, and my temple. So whenever I take my leave of this beautiful home in the stars, I don't have to worry about where my remains will remain. Not that I ever really worried about it. After all, dead is dead, and I won't be fretting about it then. Nevertheless, the search for home has certainly engaged my imagination.
I'm rather pleased with my realization. I've often fancied myself a "worldly" person, even when I wasn't going anywhere for long stretches at a time. In fact, I like to think of myself as cosmopolitan, in the true sense of the word. And now that I've identified my true home as planet Earth, I figure cosmopolitan is an apt description after all. Earth is part of the cosmos, a part of this great Universe, and what's more, she harbours Life. It makes me proud and glad to know that I'm a part of all creation. So maybe I am cosmopolitan.
Long live Mother Earth, my home and native world.
- G. P.
