What does it mean to belong to somewhere? The question came
down on me just after deciding to move to the States (and yes, finally I made
the decision). Very ironically, right after taking the decision, I met someone-
a close friends’ friend, who came to Turkey from the States by following her great
grandparents’ steps. After listening the
stories about them, their life and the house they used to live, we found the house
realizing that they were neighbors with my grandparents. The Italian style
decorated house, a ruinous café now, standing in front us... We went
inside, walked around, read the names of the family members on the walls, touched
them, got some soil from the garden & put in bottles, drank some Turkish
coffee, cried a little and head to the church which was built with their
donations, sang and prayed and got more sentimental under weird looks. Getting
emotional with someone I met a day ago, I thought whether I could feel the same
each time I come home, or my children or grandchildren would ever feel they
must go and see the place where I used to live.
Belonging somewhere could mean a lot to anyone, but for some
reason not much to me. I never felt that I do belong to somewhere, neither do I
want to. For sure, like everyone, I have favorite spots; places I feel safe,
places I feel free, places I feel happy, places I feel calm, places I feel
energetic, places I feel peaceful, yet none I feel belong to. I think I am one
of those who can live in any part of the world; preferable somewhere not too
cold :) I
want to add more to the list; live here or there wherever I enjoy…(why) do we
need to belong to somewhere?
