+copy.jpg)
Whenever I travel (especially to the UK) I find emotions bubbling up to the surface around belonging and a sense of home.
When I talk of home it can mean a number of different places for me; South Wales (where I was born), Wantage (where I grew up) or Ohio (where I currently live). It can get a little confusing when I'm talking to people, especially as I visited all three during my recent trip.
After moving to Oxfordshire as a child I lost my Welsh accent so whenever I travel to South Wales I feel like an outsider. When I visit the town where I grew up people laugh or roll their eyes at some of my 'americanisms' which also makes me feel as though I don't truly belong there either. Then there's America where my British accent sets me apart and always will.
I feel extremely fortunate to have travelled and lived in two countries but it's a strange feeling and one hard to articulate, the sense of not truly belonging in any one place . . . . . but then I look at my family and at my husband and know that wherever they are will always be home.
Linking up with Texture Tuesday.
Linking up with Texture Tuesday.
I know just what you mean, having moved many times across Canada first, then moves within the States with a couple years in Brazil. Accent and vocabulary are mixed enough that I don't make a perfect fit anywhere but I still feel at home where ever I am, home is where you make it and most importantly just like you said it is where our families are.
ReplyDeleteHome is where the heart is . . . which like you said can be several places. Even growing up in the U.S. and then moving somewhere after you have grown up there is hard, there are so many varied accents from state to state. When we first moved to Texas, they called us Yankees and everyone sounded so different. Now I don't notice it, until I go back home and THEY sound different! ;)
ReplyDeleteWhere I grew up will always be home because family is there, but Texas after 20 years feel like home now too. I suppose because our hearts are in several places at once, that just gives us more places to call home.
Beautiful textures and shot.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about not having a home. I have not moved internationally but have had two cross country moves so far. It is hard especially when we are the only ones who move. And both moves have been to areas we had never been before.
Thank you Abrianna, moving can be tough and it can take a while to settle in. I never truly settled when we lived in Virginia which made it hard but love it here in Ohio.
DeleteI have lived in the same area of Ohio all my life - born in Akron, now living in Canton. So I have never experienced that sense of not quite belonging. I admire people who have moved to and established lives in different places - I think it is very brave.
ReplyDeleteLove this art piece.
Thanks Brenda, it makes life interesting for sure. :0)
DeleteI grew up in Poland (communism one most of the time). I live in Michigan for 12 years. With language and accent it's not easer.... even after 12 years and raising 2 kids here.
ReplyDeleteSo often it's confusing ..... :((
What can I do? Sometimes I just prefer to stay home and do not talk to other people.
And my kids have trouble to express their thoughts and feelings to their Polish grandparents. Sooo sad.
It's my home here right, with my husband and kids, but I don't feel it.
I understand you.
Stay positive!!!
Beautifully done. Great symbolism.
ReplyDeleteEarl
Pat and I have talked a lot about traveling more with the girls, maybe even living abroad for awhile. It's interesting to read your perspective on that split. Do you think it helps you see people and the world differently?
ReplyDeleteI also LOVE the image above.
It's hard to describe how it expands your horizons yet concentrates and distills the things you love. I really do feel fortunate to have travelled and lived abroad . . . it makes me appreciate my family and the places that are special to me all the more. I was always the homebody as a kid and we all thought it would be my sister that lived broad. It's funny how things turn out.
DeleteThanks Kathryn. I think about this a lot, for the girls.
Delete