My parents’ house.
The country I was born.
That one place I can be my true self.
The place I live, work and have my social life.
The place the love of my life lives.
Wherever I lay my head…..
Home has different meanings to different persons. I moved 3 months ago for the 17th time since I left my parents’ house, covering 3 different countries and 10 different cities/villages. Not making the definition of home any easier to myself! I suppose that is the curse of living the life of an expatriate. Or is it?
Some expatriates never lose sight of what they call home. Their roots firmly anchored in their home country, they are eternal visitors in the countries they work. They only integrate up to a certain point, with their entire social life within the expatriates circle.
Then there are expatriates who seek to make their guest country their new home. They set out to discover and learn about the food, the customs, the traditions, the local language and they make friends outside the expatriates circle.
The first approach seems the easiest, as you simply stick to what is familiar to you. You still have to adapt to all that is different from your home country, but will find solace and comfort in being surrounded by people who speak your language and have the same frame of reference.
It also seems the least interesting approach as you risk missing out on new and potential amazing experiences.
The second approach is about letting go of the known and embrace the unknown. It is the approach I chose 14 years ago and at times it was far from easy. But looking back it has been a truly enriching experience that allows me today to enjoy the best of worlds. I have come to realise that home is not the building I live in. It is the food that comforts me, the twinkle in the eyes of my late dad, the music I fall asleep with, the smell of my dog’s paws….
My friend David described home as “mon kaz sé mon kér” – my home is my heart. I could not have said it better. Everyone and everything important to me, I carry in my heart. In addition, I have found that as long as I am in harmony with myself, I can live anywhere and call it home.