Where is my home?

The faint, sweet smell of the evergreen tree drifts through the air. Christmas lights dance among the branches, twinkling against sparkling ornaments. A deep-seated feeling of content spreads over the room. Christmas is a magical time of year. As I decorate sugar cookies with my mom and sister, inevitably, we begin reminiscing about the year that is passing and anticipate the year ahead.

Cedar Rapids will always be home to me. It is a place that holds fond memories and many life lessons that I carry with me today. Coming home for the holidays further instills my appreciation and gratitude for the Midwest values my community shares.

Growing up on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids, I had the great fortune of living near Czech town. In the summer my mom would let me ride my baby blue, banana-seat bike with its faded handlebar streamers whipping in the wind to Polina's meat market. A pound of Hot Dutch loaf made for the best lunchtime sandwiches which I still dream about. The fresh, local chopped meat that lined the glass displays were often the base of my mother's goulash, a weekly meal at our home. The butchers were artists of meat. We saw each other often, they knew my love of food, and I knew the quality they always produced. Often I would find an added treat in my bag when I got home, a delicious Czech sausage. These were no ordinary sausages, these were made with a blend of seasonings that you couldn't find in any store. They were mouthwatering and decadent. My next stop would always be Skora Bakery to pick up a clown cookie covered in rainbow sprinkles. These cookies were extra special, but worth it. I knew each week I would have to return six cans to the grocery store to get the refund money needed to purchase my favorite cookie.

In May we would celebrate Houby Days. Setting lawn chairs out on 16th Avenue my parents would listen to polka music and watch the Czech dancers for hours. We'd stay out until the streetlights turned on and the fireflies awoke, it was then when we knew it was time to head home.

Every June we would walk from our house to the St. Ludmila's Kolach Festival. The small pies of soft, puffy dough and filling are a Czech staple. My favorite kolaches were always the cherry ones. The Kolach Festival was a place to connect with our neighbors and celebrate a shared heritage.

Reflecting back, I now realize that my love of food, knowing the people who produce it, my intrigue into flavor profiles and cultivating community over a shared meal sprung from these simple experiences as a child. These seemingly small encounters shaped me and led me down the career path I find myself on today.

I loved exploring the Czech culture that was so prevalent in my hometown because it transported me to a place I thought I would never see. It gave me a glimpse of the culture and history of a country that I was deeply rooted in - even as it felt worlds away. There is no city in the world, outside the Czech capital of Prague that has more Czech ancestry than that of Cedar Rapids.

The dream of visiting my family's homeland was at that time just a dream. This summer however, that dream materialized. I was able to fly half way around the world, taking my family with me on a pilgrimage to the Czech Republic. We were on an adventure to discover our heritage and better understand the significance of the little Czech town we were emerged in growing up.

The Czech Republic, formerly known as Czechoslovakia, underwent a tumultuous history of invasions, war and communism. It was tough to live in a place riddled with so much unrest and uncertainty. When the Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia my ancestors were chased off their land. Frightened, they fled to a place where they could have a sense of security, they immigrated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa along with thousands of other refugees. They sought out the farm land of Iowa because of the stark resemblance to their homeland.

I was awed by the beauty of Prague. A place of depth, substance and texture, my eyes moved about the streets feasting on the Art Deco cocktail of architecture that surrounded me. Prague's Old Town Square is a place where the pages of fairy tales come to life.

I noticed the similarities of my dear little Czech town to its matriarch Prague. The St. Charles Bridge is an icon of the city with each of the 30 statues towering over the walkway to illuminate a story from history. The Lion Bridge in Czech town is the symbolism of the St. Charles Bridge reincarnated.

The terra-cotta roof tops and accordion music playing in the square creates an ambience that is perfect for people watching. Terrace life is to be enjoyed in the summer months with a golden Pisner-Urquell. Czech culture has perfected beer and you won't fit in unless you are drinking. The Lions Bridge Brewing Company is crafting delicious beers like those that are found in the Czech Republic. They are cultivating community over the foundation of sharing a meal and drink with those you know, in a community, which you love, while embodying the entrepreneurial spirit of the Czech people. It is fitting that in 1834 the Czech people made a music comedy their national anthem. The song is: 'Where Is My Home.” It is much like when you drink too many beers and at the end of the night you question, 'Where is my home?”

If you are ever looking for an excuse to go out, take a moment to discover your Czech Name Day. Your Name Day is essentially like a second birthday every year. On your name day you meet up with other people in town with your name, drink amazing Czech beer and party like it's your birthday! Your family should buy you a little present, like flowers or a box of chocolates. (Remember if you buy flowers never give anyone an even number of flowers, such bouquets are only used for funerals in the Czech Republic. Always give an odd number of flowers).

Walking about we discovered plaques dedicated to our ancestors, visited a hardware store bearing our family name, and fell further in love with the country that pulsed life into us. For days we indulged in the lively neighborhoods, exquisite architecture, history, culture and cuisine. We were like sponges that could not soak up anything more.

As we returned to our beloved Cedar Rapids I was thankful for the experience and gained a great appreciation of the community that took our family in, gave us a new start and was an integral part of my upbringing. Even if you believe, like I once did, that you'll never make it to the Czech Republic, there is a wealth of history and culture in our own community that provides insights to who we are as community, where we came from and where we are going. I encourage you to take advantage of the Czech and Slovak Museum, sign up for a language course or show up for one of many Czech traditions that are practiced in our very own Czech town. The city of Cedar Rapids has a rich history rooted in Czech culture that it is willing to share. In taking advantage of what is available to us we will never again have to question 'where is my home?” for we know exactly where home is and where we come from.

' Stephanie Stolba-Weeks is a social entrepreneur working to annihilate global malnutrition. She has traveled to 112+ countries to deliver life-changing nutrition to children. A thought leader she writes for various food and travel outlets. Stephanie loves exploring cuisine and creating new recipes for friends and family to enjoy. Check out her weekly blog at OurWellnessRevolution.com