In early December, the absence of snow in Saskatoon did not deter my admiration for our house as we adorned it with holiday lights. Embracing the notion that “Home is where the heart is,” after three years in Canada, my family and I have discovered a place we can truly call home.
Upon entering the house during our initial house hunt, the abundant windows immediately caught our attention. Sunlight flooded in from every angle, casting a warm and inviting glow throughout each room, including the basement. My child expressed a sense of belonging, remarking, “Ma, this feels like home,” a sentiment I had longed to see on their face.
Unlike the other “perfect” houses we had viewed, our new home exuded beauty in its simplicity and coziness. With a gracefully stretching front lawn and a backyard adorned with swaying poplar trees, it was the epitome of perfection, capturing our hearts at first sight.
Reflecting on my childhood memories in India, as I stood amidst the Christmas lights in our backyard, I was transported back to a similar expanse of nature in my childhood home. The nostalgia evoked a deep sense of gratitude for the chance to recreate those cherished memories with my own family.
Transitioning from Delhi to Saskatoon brought about a roller-coaster of uncertainties for us. Our previous home in India held sentimental value as our initial investment, a canvas where we painted our dreams and aspirations. Despite the differences from my childhood home, our Delhi apartment with its ample sunlight and balcony spaces became a sanctuary filled with countless memories.
Leaving behind our cherished home in India to settle in Saskatoon felt like leaving a piece of our hearts behind, intensified by the transient nature of renting. Our rental apartment lacked personal touches, with thin walls and basic furnishings, failing to provide the warmth and comfort of a true home.
The challenges of moving during the COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the impermanence of our living situation, prompting us to purchase a house in September. Our new home in Saskatoon now symbolizes a fresh chapter in our lives, brimming with the potential to create lasting memories and establish roots in a once unfamiliar place.
As we gradually settle into our new abode, the house has become a sanctuary where we can infuse our identity and create an environment filled with love and laughter. Saskatoon, once just a location on the map, has transformed into a beacon of hope for our family, teaching us that home is not merely a birthplace but a conscious choice of where we belong.