Holland

I hate Holland. Oh, not the province of Holland in the Netherlands or even the cities of Holland in various states. But the essay, Welcome to Holland. Every time someone sends this essay to me, I respond in a less than flattering manner. Then, generally, I am told “I don’t get it.” Oh, I get it all right. I don’t think the author had an agenda when she wrote it but I do think that she may have been slightly brainwashed by society.

As a mom to 4 kids with special needs I look at it like this; who in the heck are you to tell me where I may go and where I may stay? Hey, my plane may have been diverted to Holland but I’m not staying unless we, as a family, want to stay. It may please society to “keep my children in their places” but my mission in life is not to please society but to advocate for my children. Yes, as the rest of the country comes and goes to Italy, I am not going to sit idly by, wave, and holler, “Hey, have a good trip!”

Many parents with special needs children will stay in Holland but as for me and my house, we are going to Italy. Or, maybe Greece, Spain, Portugal or Machu Picchu. And we aren’t taking the “short bus” to get there.