It’s not a trick question. There are numerous words that begin with the letters ‘RE’. Since moving back to our up north farm there are a few of these words that resonate with me. Reconnect. Rediscover. Reflect. Renew.

Reconnect. In the late 1990s, we purchased this 12-acre farm located in a valley from my grandfather who I called Grandpa Jack. This plot of land holds many childhood memories for me. When we had the opportunity to buy the farm, my husband and I jumped at the chance. We had recently built a home just outside of Leland at the time. Without much hesitation, we put the Leland house on the market along with the vacant lot next to it. The farm would offer us so much more than our town house would. The farm had a barn with four horse stalls. It had fruit trees. There was a fresh water spring that fed a creek that diagonally cut across the property. It was surrounded by a wooded area that various species of trees populated. Above the valley where the house and barn sat, was a steep hill that overlooked the property and Lake Michigan. But the best part was that the property had memories. My childhood memories. It was my desire to reconnect with this sacred land so it could begin to create memories for my own children. Now, I have returned again to reconnect and continue adding to my memory bank.

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Rediscover. Being back at the farm has allowed me to rediscover why I have loved this property so passionately. This rediscovering has been facilitated by my daughter – Isa – who is studying permaculture. Through her knowledge and guidance, I am discovering the ever present potential of the farm. She is showing me how we can provide for the land and honor what it has to offer. I am excited to work alongside her as she plans and teaches me how to truly value the beautiful gifts of nature that this farm if giving us.

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Reflect. When we first moved to the property, we seemed to be on overdrive. Things were done quickly and with short-term goals in mind. However, this return is allowing for reflection – a more thoughtful, longterm approach to how we envision the property. This will be our last move. (This was our 12th move and we aren’t even a military family.) This will be our retirement home. This will be the space that my children inherit. This reflection includes walks around the property, residing in the house, discussions with my family, and observations of plant growths.

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Renew. Being on the property, I feel renewed. I made it back and now I can submerse myself in projects on the property. I can renew my creative spirit. I can renew my love of the property. I can renew the life I once had.

I am home.