After setting up the holiday lights in early December in Saskatoon, the absence of snow did not diminish the joy of admiring our house. Believing in the saying “Home is where the heart is,” after three years in Canada, we have finally discovered a place we can truly call home.
Upon first entering the house with my husband and teenager during our house hunt, we were captivated by the abundance of natural light streaming in from all angles, enveloping each room in a warm, welcoming glow, even the basement. “Ma, this feels like home,” my child remarked, a smile I had missed seeing for a long time.
The house exuded beauty in its simplicity and comfort, featuring a front lawn that gracefully extended and a backyard adorned with swaying poplar trees. The charm of the house lay in its perfect balance – not too grand, not too small, just right.
As I stood amidst the Christmas lights in our backyard, memories of my childhood home in India flooded back, reminiscent of the expansive nature surrounding it. Recreating similar memories with my family filled me with deep gratitude.
Leaving our previous home in India to start anew in Saskatoon felt unsettling, leaving a void in our hearts compounded by the transient nature of renting. Our rental apartment lacked personal touch, with cold drafts seeping in and thin walls amplifying noises from neighbors.
The move during the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the sense of impermanence. However, the recent purchase of our house in September marked a significant shift. Our new home in Saskatoon symbolizes a fresh chapter in our lives, where we can build new memories and establish roots in a place that now feels like home.
Saskatoon has transformed from just a location on the map to a beacon of hope for our family, teaching us that home is not merely where you originate from, but where you choose to build your life.