Where is “Home”?

“We are all just walking each other home” – Ram Dass

Whenever I visit the UK, my Expat friends ask me “What is it like going home?”. I find this a difficult question to answer, as I don’t ever really feel like I’m coming “home”.

My parents are from North London but moved out to Essex in the 1970’s and started a family. Essex is where I was born and where I grew up, but I never think of it as my home, as we all moved away over the years.

I lived in different parts of London for a long time before heading to Dubai. My older sister moved overseas long ago, my parents moved to Wales and my younger sister stayed a little closer to Essex but moved to a different county.

For me, “home” is not so much a place, but more of a feeling…

For example:

1. Being anywhere with the Hubby
2. Spending time with family
3. Cuddling up with my cats (or any cat!)
4. Laughing hard with friends
5. Wherever I feel at peace

The Native Indians say that sea turtles are the most spiritual animal, because wherever they go, they’re always at home. 

Perhaps ‘home” is wherever you are and where you can really be you?

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I wrote this blog a few weeks before Lockdown began so I’d like to add a few more thoughts. 

Being unable to visit family and friends has not been easy and I, like many others, have been incredibly thankful for the technology that enables us to stay connected during this time. 

We had a video call for my nephew’s birthday in Australia last weekend. What amazed me was how the children were so adept at navigating it. Hearing my 6-year-old niece ask, “Are you using a phone or an iPad?” was quite something!