Away from home, family, and familiar faces—the sense of adventure and opportunity is exhilarating, yet my heart quietly yearns for the comfort of the known. Kaiserslautern, Germany welcomed me warmly, embracing me with its culture, friendships, food, weather 🌧️⛈️🤪, family, and new experiences that eventually made it feel like home. But amidst my studies, university friends, exams, and happy moments and the joy and discoveries of new people and places, there still remains an undeniable longing for the land of my roots—India🇮🇳.

It’s the smallest things that create the strongest memories: the aroma of spices coming from my own kitchen and from my neighbors – specially Pandya aunty, oh she used to cook great food! ☺️ The damn radio, which I never enjoyed, the old boring songs and their melodies, who knew I’ll have nostalgia years later 😶‍🌫️. Having our neighbors just – literally – drop by and ask us for tea and snacks. My mother looking at me and expecting me to quickly run in to the kitchen and fulfill the expectations. I was angry many a times and fine with whatever was going on, for the rest. Mothers around us yelling their children’s names in the evening at the highest pitch they could to make sure that the kids come home and eat. These moments were so precious, I didn’t realize back then but today almost every single day, I kind of remember of what I, of what we all, have bravely left behind.😥

This bittersweet feeling is something many of us share, those who have stepped into new worlds, leaving parts of ourselves behind in cities, villages, and homes far away. It’s nothing but a proof to our strength and resilience, yet also our vulnerability and profound capacity for love.

To anyone out there who has packed their life into a suitcase and traveled across continents, know this—you’re not alone in your nostalgia. It’s perfectly okay to feel joy and sorrow simultaneously. It’s okay to build a new home yet deeply miss your old one.🤗

Let’s remember to hold onto our roots as we branch out into new communities. Let’s celebrate the courage it takes to chase dreams, even as our hearts softly whisper about the homes we’ve left behind.

In embracing both where we come from and where we’re headed, we craft a life enriched by diverse experiences, deep empathy, and enduring love.

💜💜