I jumped at the invitation from my son and his family to accompany them to the filming of the children’s show, Gladiators.

We agreed to meet midway and I would complete the journey to the venue with them.

As I approached their vehicle, I noticed my daughter-in-law opened her door and took the rear seat.

She left the door open and beckoned me to her seat.

I tried to protest and resist but I noticed that my son was also signalling with a hand gesture, gently tapping the seat, inviting me to take the space.

It is not an unusual occurrence but on this occasion, I noticed that alongside this feeling of discomfort and resistance was a warm settling feeling of belonging pushing its way through.

I loved the show. The joy, creativity and that ability to just laugh freely.

I pondered on that warm settling feeling of belonging and contentment as it stayed with me for a few weeks.

I reflected on the feeling of belonging when invited to occupy the space and also the  awareness that I had taken it and was now in the space.

I wondered about how sometimes we can be inhibited in that ability to

notice the gift of that space

and our lack of awareness of

occupying that space.

I reflected on my son and his family’s invitation to that space of belonging and how I was intentional to be at home in that space.

I am reminded of this quote attributed to Maya Angelou:

‘I long as does every human being to be at home wherever I find myself’’.