Chocolate, Love and Belonging

I started this entry back in February.   I am posting it today because I am reminded again how precious love and belonging is.  It is rare and wonderful and should be embraced whenever it is presented.  February's entry:

I watched the movie, Chocolat, last night.  My daughter asked me why I wanted to watch it and the only thing I could tell her was, 'Johnny Depp is in it'.  Do I need another reason?   She asked, 'What is it about?' I answered, 'Johnny Depp is a gypsy and meets a woman who runs a chocolate shop."  Even I had to admit that it sounded boring.   My daughter decided to go clean her room rather than stay and watch the movie with me.   A first!  I'm not sure why I rented the movie from Netflix.  I've seen it a
couple times over the years.  All I can think of is that I wanted to see Johnny Depp!  LOL

I have been invited to a Wine and Chocolate party this weekend and have decided to bring Death by Chocolate and a bottle of port.   It is the month of February and so love and chocolate is the theme, right?   For me, Valentine's Day was quiet.  I was working out of town and ended up having dinner with two other ladies and a couple.   Single again for the 7th year in a row.   I received a very innovative ecard from a lover several thousand miles away.   While this brought a smile to my face, it was very clear to me that I am still very alone. 

I have been born and raised in Southern California.  My childhood consisted of many moves.  We never stayed in one house for more than a few years.   I didn't understand that many families live and die in the same home.  Many people live in the same neighborhood their entire lives.  Even if they move out of the home they grew up in, they will move to a home within a mile or so.  They stick close to home.   They are part of the community.  They belong in that neighborhood and they know all of their neighbors.   I was introduced to this kind of lifestyle when I met my ex husband.   The families in the neighborhood were the same for generations.

Although I have watched Chocolat a few times, it wasn't until last night that I truly empathized with Vianne. She moved from place to place, never really belonging anywhere. She and he daughter were alone in the world and had clearly met hate and misunderstanding everywhere they went. Just as they were about to leave again for the same reason they always did, they found true love and belonging. The townspeople embraced them and made them feel as part of the community. I have seen this kind of belonging many times. But, I have to admit, I don't believe I have ever truly felt it.  

There are many clubs and associations and churches out there that people belong to that give them the sense of community.   They are with people who have the same interests, a common bond is formed and that sense of 'home' is prevalent.  The bar portrayed in Cheers was home to its patrons. People come together over common interests, horse back riding, motorcycle riding, boating, sports, music.   Any weekend, you can see the many RVs traveling to a place of belonging.   At concerts you see people congregating to appreciate music.  Even chocolate can bring humans together. People find a place to be, they frequent it and become part of the fixtures.  I think belonging is a basic human need.   We all need to belong somewhere.  

I hope one day I have the sense of belonging.  If you have it now, be grateful for your place and the security it gives you.   It is truly a gift worth appreciating.