I’m home and it feels lonely here. My visit to Lahore, Pakistan was eight days long. When we planned the trip it seemed like a lot of time, but once we were there it was hard to leave. The biggest surprise to my children wasn’t the extreme change in temperature (it was consistently between 25 C and 30 C) or the culture shock, but the fact that their mom has such a huge family — dozens of people they are related to but have never met.
A deeply personal post and lovely to read, Anam. Thank you. As I try to compile a memoir for my grandchildren, I find myself frequently lost in memories of childhood and the place I was raised. I go back there in my mind so often, I think, because those memories go a great distance toward explaining who I am and the forces that shaped me, for better or worse. Write about them frequently and immerse yourself in them. They form part of your children’s inheritance.
My heart plunged when I heard you say you were lonely. I get it, even though Canada is my home. When I go north to see all my extended family if feels like going home too. Even though I lived the majority of my life in Kitchener, all vacations were up in Sudbury or Deep River, a few in Niagara Falls or Windsor to visit a few that also left the great white north. Nothing compares to yours though, going home for you is an expensive 24 hour ordeal but I'm sure it's worth it. It just different for anyone emigrating to another country. As I always say, there's pros and cons to everything.
This is a lovely story that feels close to home for both Val and I. I was 9 when I left Dublin, but I did have my immediate family with me. I still have many cousins and family there. And I still have fond (and some not so fond) memories of being a kid there. It pulls at the heartstrings, and although I certainly call Canada home, there is a feeling when I visit Ireland of saying "I'm home".
For Val, it is a completely different story and so relates to what you write about. She is the only family member in Canada, and we have spent many hours recently talking about her childhood (and adulthood) and I am amazed at her resolve in calling Canada "home". The pandemic didn't help, and her Mom is in and out of hospital, so stress in this area is common for us. Emigration has been a way of life for Irish people for centuries, does that make it easier?
Making new memories is the best thing you can do. your story stuck "home" for us, I an sure you and Val could spend an entire afternoon chatting about being kids in a different culture. Great stuff Anam....keep them coming
beautiful article, loved it❤️❤️❤️
Miss you girls❤️❤️
This piece melt my heart. What a great read. Rightly said full of nostalgia and the new memories. Waiting to read more about your trip.
A deeply personal post and lovely to read, Anam. Thank you. As I try to compile a memoir for my grandchildren, I find myself frequently lost in memories of childhood and the place I was raised. I go back there in my mind so often, I think, because those memories go a great distance toward explaining who I am and the forces that shaped me, for better or worse. Write about them frequently and immerse yourself in them. They form part of your children’s inheritance.
My heart plunged when I heard you say you were lonely. I get it, even though Canada is my home. When I go north to see all my extended family if feels like going home too. Even though I lived the majority of my life in Kitchener, all vacations were up in Sudbury or Deep River, a few in Niagara Falls or Windsor to visit a few that also left the great white north. Nothing compares to yours though, going home for you is an expensive 24 hour ordeal but I'm sure it's worth it. It just different for anyone emigrating to another country. As I always say, there's pros and cons to everything.
Hi Anam,
This is a lovely story that feels close to home for both Val and I. I was 9 when I left Dublin, but I did have my immediate family with me. I still have many cousins and family there. And I still have fond (and some not so fond) memories of being a kid there. It pulls at the heartstrings, and although I certainly call Canada home, there is a feeling when I visit Ireland of saying "I'm home".
For Val, it is a completely different story and so relates to what you write about. She is the only family member in Canada, and we have spent many hours recently talking about her childhood (and adulthood) and I am amazed at her resolve in calling Canada "home". The pandemic didn't help, and her Mom is in and out of hospital, so stress in this area is common for us. Emigration has been a way of life for Irish people for centuries, does that make it easier?
Making new memories is the best thing you can do. your story stuck "home" for us, I an sure you and Val could spend an entire afternoon chatting about being kids in a different culture. Great stuff Anam....keep them coming
I enjoy and appreciate your writing, Anam. It is a gift to us, your readers, and will forever be a tangible gift to your family.