You are only free when you realize you belong no place-you belong every place-no place at all. The price is high. The reward is great. Maya Angelou

Grief taught me this lesson before Maya Angelou gave me the words. The loss of my mother in my early 20’s left me an orphan before I had the chance to come into my own naturally. The death of my mother taught me in the most literal and profound ways that I belonged no place-every place-no place at all. Home, as I had come to know it, no longer existed. There was no longer a lighthouse navigating me through rough waters. No longer did I have a sanctuary offering unconditional love, comfort, respite, security, strength, a reminder of who I was or where I came from. I belonged no place and to no one. I belonged no place at all. The price is high.  I mourned this truth. I raged against this truth. Ultimately I accepted this truth. Through acceptance, and in time, I recognized that home was within me. It was then that I became my most empowered self. I learned to depend on, nurture, care for, comfort, advocate for, motivate, and belong to myself. I learned that I belonged to myself!  I belong every place. Home is within me. I am always home. The reward is great.