Moving and uprooting has been a constant companion in my life. Eversince I was young, we moved nearly 10 times around Penang and then we moved to 3 different countries (India, Malaysia, Switzerland). The past 20 years, we have moved twice. I moved out a few years ago to live on my own and then moved back to my parent's appartment after my year in Malaysia.
This time moving has proved strainous as the it has been 18 years since our last move. All those memories from the past surfaces, the books, stamp collection during my secondary days from Penang and many more items which bought back the past. I remembered me and my brothers had to decided what to take over to Zurich, at the time we had to give up our house in Penang. Each of us were only allowed 20 kg. Can you imagine, 20 kg of bagage to migrate to Zurich. It was a painful process for us, as we had to be very focus on what is precious to us. So all those precious things we bought over from Malayisa has been again discovered in our store room in Zurich. Mum kept them for us all this while.
We never knew where home is, and therefore I am accustomed to give away and bless others with what I have and not hold on to things. But this "giving up" has proved more difficult for my parents to let go of the past and look forward into the future. As we were sorting out all our things, and had to focus once again to let go of the old, I could feel the pain my parents felt as each piece of these memories builds up a picture of their journey and scarifice they had laid down for our future in this country. We even found books which my mum had been using while she was in Bombay University and we used it in Malaysia. That book is 40 years old !! I know most of you would have just thrown it away, what is the big deal.
All this sentimental memories like these gives us a sense of comfort and security to dwell in, as we never really know where home is, living in a foreign country and feeling like a foreigner in Malaysia as we have been away for too long. Well it is true that Home is where the Heart is, but what if the heart is undecided where Home is. It is a major uproot for my family as the tree that was once planted in this country 20 years ago is going to be replanted in new soil. All the scarifices my parents did had paid off. God you are so faithful and true to my family. Thank you for your protection, love and blessings. I want to give you all glory and honor, as you take your place in our "new vineyard " Lord.
