“Home wasn’t a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.”Sarah Dessen in What Happened to GoodbyWhenever we visit family and friends in Vancouver, it’s inevitable that we hear “welcome home.” It’s so heartwarming to hear this as it implies bonds of belonging. On the flip side, when we re-entered Bermuda years back, post a Vancouver visit, the customs agent smiled and said “welcome home.” WOW! – that really struck both of us and the journey of carrying relationships in our hearts wherever we were was consciously embraced.
The phrase “home is where the heart is” is often referred to in our expat circles of friends. Our communities become very tight knit as we are all looking for that special bond of belonging with the people who are now present in our everyday lives. An unspoken acceptance of one another exists. Gatherings are often large as everyone is included which brings forth many diverse cultures. We share our holiday traditions with one another and have adopted a few new ones along the way.
This month in particular, we are transitioning to yet another Expat post – this one in the Bahamas. Chilling our heels in Vancouver in November while we await the immigration paperwork process to complete has truly highlighted for us just how diverse our circle has grown. Connections with friends from around the world have brought well wishes and shared stories of similar transitions – we are not alone, no matter where we are. Never before has this been more pronounced as it is now.
Our circle has grown – it has become global. Friends in Dubai, Malaysia, Italy, China, Philippines, Bermuda and the Caribbean have been added to our network. We are all connected – we are 1 global family bound together by the moments in time shared in which we each carry our shelters with us, everywhere we go.
In gratitude to my extended family,
Live Inspired!
Gisele
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