This creative writing piece is a short story inspired by a moment in my life that was important to me and I’ve continued to think about it since it occurred, some years ago. The short story is called, “Where is Home?”.
WHERE IS HOME?
Where is home? A person usually describes home as where you live permanently, where you feel most comfortable, secure, loved and protected. Growing up as a third culture kid, I was always uncertain of where I would ultimately end up living next as I moved every two to three years. Moving back to Lebanon was such an exciting time for me I could finally be in a place I was familiar with as my father is from a large town there. It opened me up to realise that the life I had been living so far was actually quite a lonely one. I was never surrounded by extended family members or loving Grandparents. Although I did visit them in the summer holidays it’s never the same as being a stone throw away from them in the same city. I was so out of place in the beginning I felt I didn’t even belong. How could I feel like an outsider in a place that was meant to be my own home?
Starting at a new school, introducing myself again and again as I’ve done a million times before, had become as routine for me as brushing my teeth. As I was familiarising myself with my new surroundings, peers and teachers, a significant moment in my life was approaching. Sitting in my Community service class, the teacher asked me the question that has continued to be stuck in my head from that day forward, “Where is home?”. Everyone who was asked previously had answered so easily, without even needing to think, it was like a reflex to say Lebanon. I found myself singled out, I felt so confused and so lost.
I sat there anticipating my turn as my teacher was getting closer to calling my name out. I felt embarrassed, I didn’t know what to say and when the time finally came to me I choked up like a stone was lodged suddenly in my throat and replied with ‘I don’t know’. Returning home from school that day with the usual ‘How was school?’ from my mum, I was quick to tell her about the dilemma I faced in class. Her response made me change the way I viewed the question as she told me “You are one with the world, Lara”.
From this point forward I appreciated everything my experiences have taught me and the people I have had the pleasure to meet. I keep in touch with people across the world because of my extensive travel during my eighteen years of life. I have been fortunate enough to have been on so many adventures and experienced so many things with my family, the people most dearest to me the ones I love the most. No matter where we go in the world and if I’m faced with this question again I know that I won’t choke again like the first time. In my mind, “Life is where the suitcase is” as wherever you travel to or end up is a new home and a new journey to experience.