The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter is a powerful one. My mother was talking about it today which reminded me of the countless times we watched this version of Peter Rabbit growing up in addition to reading the book. As I spent my day off from school back at my childhood home with my parents, I could not help but smile at the parallels between Peter Rabbit and myself. Not that I am mischevious, because I am not, but Peter and I have something in common. For both of us, I would consider the comfort of home to be high up on my list of comforts. 

For whatever reason, people always think of the word "homebody" as something negative. In fact, the definition of homebody is probably one of the most un-whimsical definitions I have encountered to date. "An individual who likes to stay home and is quite unadventurous." Other synonyms used to describe such a term include dull, boring, lazy and more. 

For one, in case you do not remember, Peter Rabbit was anything but lackadaisical. He frequently went on adventures. Tried new things. And he tended to be a very busy individual. With a busy mind. But he loved the rabbit hole. I remember as a child holding my breath the entire story only to breath a sigh of relief when I read the following words written on the final page of the book: "He was so tired that he fopped down upon the nice soft sand on the foor of the rabbit-hole and shut his eyes. His mother was busy cooking; she wondered what he had done with his clothes. It was the second little jacket and pair of shoes that Peter had lost in a fortnight!" She tucked him in and then gave him a bit of tea and he slept soundly back in the Rabbit Hole. What people always remember are the themes of "avoiding mischief." But you have to think, is this really what Potter was getting at? To me, it is this idea that this little bunny is ready to go out on his own but there are always threads of home that will remain a comfort for him. That tea will always be ready if he needs it. 

I don't always return to the rabbit hole because life gets a little busy sometimes. But I do love the rabbit hole. I love my mother's clutter and the carpet and little knick knacks lying all over the house. I love the piano we grew up listening to and playing. I even enjoy the basement bringing back memories of countless music sessions. So much life was lived in that rabbit hole. How could you possibly forget it? Once a rabbit hole. Always a rabbit hole. So today I embrace that term homebody, and I think Peter Rabbit always did too. You can be an adventurous soul who tries new things. But I think the wisest rabbits are the ones who can venture into the garden but always come back to say hello to the rabbit hole. And enjoy that cup of tea. A little message to ponder before Easter. Tis the season of rabbit holes and family frolicking.