For the last two weeks my husband and I have been walking during his lunch breaks. We tie up our sneakers and head out to parts of Singapore unknown. We see the funky architecture of neighborhoods that are off our normal path. We have no particular route and without the kids we could walk for hours. Barring the inevitable meeting to get to or the risk of passing out due to the sweltering heat that accompanies living so close to the equator.
I fancy myself a bit of an explorer since moving here. Seeing new and different buildings, trees, people and hearing languages I have only read about are somewhat intoxicating and best of all comes without the headache and morning regrets.
However, I must admit there are those days I feel a little homesick. Those are the days I wish I could click my heels together and be back home in the U.S. watching my kids play with our neighbors in our big grassy backyard.
Fortunately, these feelings are fleeting. Perhaps because we have had little bits of home sprinkled into our lives throughout the year. Most are simple and conjure up unexpected feelings of nostalgia.
Over the past few weeks I can recount some pieces of home that stood out to me. We received a package in the mail from my sister containing Big League Chew gum, Hormel pepperoni and Wheat Thin crackers. Christmas had come early in the Schuster house. The boys ripped open the gum and recounted the days at the ballpark when I would allow them to chew wads of gum during their Little League games. The pepperoni reminded them of Friday nights when we would make homemade pizza and they could drink soda. Not much was said about the Wheat thins because our mouths were full. Long after the mailing box had been taken down to the recycling bin. Our hearts were still full by the kindness of family and a taste of the life we had left behind.
Another piece of home came at the end of one of our walks we ended up at the grocery store. While scoping out some decent strawberries I heard Hall & Oates coming from the Fair Price speakers. I could not hold back. I began to sing with gusto to the music. Let the onlookers be damned! I did not care that in several languages the words “crazy American” was being uttered. My husband did walk away as if he didn’t know me. A few moments later in the lettuce aisle it became a duet. A 50 something Japanese man hummed and occasionally sang quietly to the chorus. Another piece of home in such an unexpected venue it was such a great feeling I almost forgot I was paying $8.00 for a small pack of strawberries.
The last came a few weeks ago I was searching online for a nice spot to have Easter brunch. Before I knew it there were 3 sets of eyes checking out what I was l doing. My oldest instantly questioned why we were not having Easter at home with friends and family like we usually did. I explained I did not know if we had enough dishes here and we don’t have any platters and other reasons that seemed silly when I said them out loud to a 10 year old and to two 8-year-old boys. The kids just kind of stared at me and my oldest said, “our friends don’t care about all of that let’s invite all of our friends to lunch, they would like that.” They continued talking about what we could serve and how they would clean their rooms and it would be just like at home but with our new friends. Their excitement was contagious, and within a few minutes I was on board.
Easter afternoon, the boys had their friends hanging in their rooms and the adults were relaxing and finishing dessert. We were all content even without the platters or matching silverware. Our first Easter in Singapore will be a sweet memory we take with us no matter where we live.
Once we move back to Atlanta I imagine there will be moments I will find small pieces of our life in Singapore that will stop me in my tracks. I will fondly recount my time here and dream about pieces of this home.
What are pieces of home to you?
Passport Parenting, Singapore 