POSTCARD FROM HOME
Dedicated to Maria Carmen S. Santos M.D.
As I read an old postcard sent by a dear friend, who decided to migrate to the U.S.A. five years ago, a sense of nostalgia swept over me. Reminiscing the times we had together as if those days will be forever. However, life is dynamic. There is nothing constant in living but change itself. We are in constant motion, growing and changing. Lest we do, life is senseless we might as well die.
Since the dawn of time, human beings have been traveling. From place to place humans move to hunt, establish habitation or seek a mate. The present human population is no different. The majority of the population migrates for reason of economics, build a home and raise families. Yet, there are deeper reasons why people decide to migrate, leave their origin or move from place to place.
It is evident that in countries where there is lack of resources and opportunity, the primary reason to migrate is economics. It has become a necessity to the poor among the population to look for employment in other lands. However, there are those who do so for personal reasons. Like my friend, who is hardly destitute, her migration to “greener pasture” is a choice than a necessity. Afterall she, being a doctor offers enough opportunity and a career that could support a decent living set apart from the rest of the population stricken by poverty and ignorance.
But, we need more than a decent living. We have big dreams for ourselves and for our families. We wanted the best life could offer us. To do so, we need to be where there are more opportunity for growth and development. Better education or career advancement open doors not only to financial success but self-fulfillment as well. By then, we will be able to provide more than the necessity for living but the perks in life we deserve for working hard and bearing with the difficulties of living in a foreign land.
Didn’t we say it was easy? With the opportunities are the challenges one has to hurdle when migrating. It could be terrifying to live in an odd place with a culture different from ours. Not to mention, peculiar laws and mores one has to abide and conform with. However, the conformity one has to manage relative to the customs and culture of a place is not as half the challenge compared to the pains of being alone and be separated form family and friends. Inspite these challenges, migration occurs because it is an inherent activity in any population.
Migration of the population is prevalent in war-torn lands; places plagued by natural or man-made disasters and in oppressed societies. It is the instinctual need for self-preservation that brings people to places fit for survival. It is unfortunate that refugees, Faced already by hostile human conditions, are easy prey to human traffickers and unscrupulous human traders. Hence, even in a new land, they end-up in more hapless situation than where they left.
Movement in the population can be within local or regional areas. Such are the homeless and the dispossessed. In this country they are commonly called informal settlers or “squatters”. They can be seen in urban areas however, we also have them in rural areas where the vast tracks of land are owned by the rich. Their constant relocation offers only temporary solution to their plight. They are not exclusive among poor countries. In fact, every country has them. Just see the line of trailer homes and those living in trailer camps across America because they don’t have their own place.
Contrary to popular notion that migration is movement from places of lack to places of abundance, there are those who migrate to where help is needed most. Forced by commitment to make a better world, they leave their comfortable homes and family to share what they have and bring inspiration, meaning and hope to humanity. The religious missionaries, the volunteers for charitable institutions and the relentless movers of just causes are but the few I could mention who travel from place to place or migrate permanently for altruistic reasons.
Migration could also be a lifestyle fad. There are those who do so because of social acclaim. These are people who have more than enough than anyone from their origins. To live in Paris, New York, Singapore or any place prominent for high standards (e.g. expensive) of living is a mark of distinction for those who can afford it. It is not surprising that we beam with pride whenever we tell others where we’ve been; that we were able to go abroad and see places where others just dream about. Others can just listen to us with shared excitement and joy while others with pangs of jealousy and envy.
There are those who opted to migrate because they wanted a way out of a situation. The fugitives from justice, those who are persecuted for their political beliefs and those who just wanted to escape some traumatic experience seek refuge to other lands. In a new land, those granted political or ideological asylum may find freedom and social acceptance. In contrast, the fugitives of the law and those who are psychologically traumatized, even in a new place, to be haunted and to live in constant fear offers no escape from their situation.
For families separated by distance, migration offers the best option. When the necessary requisites are provided for, family members are reunited and build the future together in a new land. To be away from their native land and be in a strange place is worthy enough as long as the family is together. Recently, my grand aunt, who just turned 93, asked for my lawyer uncle to draft her last Will. After that, she will migrate to Canada to be with her son and wait for her time there. She is willing to trade everything she has and spend her remaining time in a foreign land just to be with family. Ultimately, we would rather be with those most dear to us in a foreign land than to stay in our native land alone.
On the other hand, there are those who migrate to escape family problems or dysfunctional relationship. It is sad that one has to leave home due to this matter. However, in some cases, this could be the only alternative to an otherwise desperate attempt to mend a situation marred by hopelessness and despair.
Some among us are drawn to adventure; to conquer new worlds and constantly seek new experiences. These restless souls push themselves to the limit of possibilities. They are in constant need to recapture their sense of novelty that results to a more exciting life. Others go to new places to seek new challenges such as a new job or career, or try a lifestyle unfamiliar to them. There is no room for complacency but enthusiasm and awe steers the life of these people. Thus, to see new places, adapt to peculiar cultures, learn foreign languages and meet new people can be most exhilarating experience.
Then, there are the drifters, those who journey without a destination. They wander aimlessly. Without specific purpose, they move as long as they can. From place to place they come and go. They take almost nothing with them but the barest of essential and the wind against their faces. Contrary to the romanticized image of a “carefree” lifestyle we read about in popular fiction or as depicted in cinema, it could be a hard, lonely and meaningless existence.
Finally, there are those who left their origins because, according to them, they wanted to find their “selves”. It probably sounds abstract yet we each have that tendency to search for that place where we are most at ease or simply be ourselves; a place where we are at home.
As I keep the postcards my friend sent me, I wonder if she and others who migrated will ever go back home. But where is home? Is it to go back to our place of origin? Is it the place where we fulfilled our wishes and be with family? Or is it the place we aspired for or dreamed about? Maybe, it is the place where we found our life’s vocation? Or perhaps, the place where we gained ourselves?
As vital as migration, we search for that distinct place we call “home”. It is a universal call. Sooner or later, we all have to settle somewhere and establish our roots. A Chinese proverb says, “Wherever you settle, there is your home.” It is not necessarily be our place of origin or our native land. It might not even be an actual place. It may be just lurking within us.
An old adage says, “Home is where the heart is”. Depending on where our heart is, home can be our family, our career or vocation, our aspirations. The place where we are is not important. Here or there, we can claim our own niche; build ourselves. Within us is the ability to create that haven, a refuge amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Anywhere we could find ourselves. When these are achieved, we are home. Where we could find personal contentment and inner peace that is home.
Yes, we each have the option to migrate or to stay where we are now. In a sense, we are all pilgrims in this world. But somewhere, there is a home waiting for us. For the moment, while we long for that elusive “home”, we go on with our living and do what we ought to do. At the end of the day, we each will receive a postcard from home beckoning us to settle, be at peace with ourselves and the world around us ---- wherever we may be.
DJ FLAME
July 19, 2009
Dedicated to Maria Carmen S. Santos M.D.
As I read an old postcard sent by a dear friend, who decided to migrate to the U.S.A. five years ago, a sense of nostalgia swept over me. Reminiscing the times we had together as if those days will be forever. However, life is dynamic. There is nothing constant in living but change itself. We are in constant motion, growing and changing. Lest we do, life is senseless we might as well die.
Since the dawn of time, human beings have been traveling. From place to place humans move to hunt, establish habitation or seek a mate. The present human population is no different. The majority of the population migrates for reason of economics, build a home and raise families. Yet, there are deeper reasons why people decide to migrate, leave their origin or move from place to place.
It is evident that in countries where there is lack of resources and opportunity, the primary reason to migrate is economics. It has become a necessity to the poor among the population to look for employment in other lands. However, there are those who do so for personal reasons. Like my friend, who is hardly destitute, her migration to “greener pasture” is a choice than a necessity. Afterall she, being a doctor offers enough opportunity and a career that could support a decent living set apart from the rest of the population stricken by poverty and ignorance.
But, we need more than a decent living. We have big dreams for ourselves and for our families. We wanted the best life could offer us. To do so, we need to be where there are more opportunity for growth and development. Better education or career advancement open doors not only to financial success but self-fulfillment as well. By then, we will be able to provide more than the necessity for living but the perks in life we deserve for working hard and bearing with the difficulties of living in a foreign land.
Didn’t we say it was easy? With the opportunities are the challenges one has to hurdle when migrating. It could be terrifying to live in an odd place with a culture different from ours. Not to mention, peculiar laws and mores one has to abide and conform with. However, the conformity one has to manage relative to the customs and culture of a place is not as half the challenge compared to the pains of being alone and be separated form family and friends. Inspite these challenges, migration occurs because it is an inherent activity in any population.
Migration of the population is prevalent in war-torn lands; places plagued by natural or man-made disasters and in oppressed societies. It is the instinctual need for self-preservation that brings people to places fit for survival. It is unfortunate that refugees, Faced already by hostile human conditions, are easy prey to human traffickers and unscrupulous human traders. Hence, even in a new land, they end-up in more hapless situation than where they left.
Movement in the population can be within local or regional areas. Such are the homeless and the dispossessed. In this country they are commonly called informal settlers or “squatters”. They can be seen in urban areas however, we also have them in rural areas where the vast tracks of land are owned by the rich. Their constant relocation offers only temporary solution to their plight. They are not exclusive among poor countries. In fact, every country has them. Just see the line of trailer homes and those living in trailer camps across America because they don’t have their own place.
Contrary to popular notion that migration is movement from places of lack to places of abundance, there are those who migrate to where help is needed most. Forced by commitment to make a better world, they leave their comfortable homes and family to share what they have and bring inspiration, meaning and hope to humanity. The religious missionaries, the volunteers for charitable institutions and the relentless movers of just causes are but the few I could mention who travel from place to place or migrate permanently for altruistic reasons.
Migration could also be a lifestyle fad. There are those who do so because of social acclaim. These are people who have more than enough than anyone from their origins. To live in Paris, New York, Singapore or any place prominent for high standards (e.g. expensive) of living is a mark of distinction for those who can afford it. It is not surprising that we beam with pride whenever we tell others where we’ve been; that we were able to go abroad and see places where others just dream about. Others can just listen to us with shared excitement and joy while others with pangs of jealousy and envy.
There are those who opted to migrate because they wanted a way out of a situation. The fugitives from justice, those who are persecuted for their political beliefs and those who just wanted to escape some traumatic experience seek refuge to other lands. In a new land, those granted political or ideological asylum may find freedom and social acceptance. In contrast, the fugitives of the law and those who are psychologically traumatized, even in a new place, to be haunted and to live in constant fear offers no escape from their situation.
For families separated by distance, migration offers the best option. When the necessary requisites are provided for, family members are reunited and build the future together in a new land. To be away from their native land and be in a strange place is worthy enough as long as the family is together. Recently, my grand aunt, who just turned 93, asked for my lawyer uncle to draft her last Will. After that, she will migrate to Canada to be with her son and wait for her time there. She is willing to trade everything she has and spend her remaining time in a foreign land just to be with family. Ultimately, we would rather be with those most dear to us in a foreign land than to stay in our native land alone.
On the other hand, there are those who migrate to escape family problems or dysfunctional relationship. It is sad that one has to leave home due to this matter. However, in some cases, this could be the only alternative to an otherwise desperate attempt to mend a situation marred by hopelessness and despair.
Some among us are drawn to adventure; to conquer new worlds and constantly seek new experiences. These restless souls push themselves to the limit of possibilities. They are in constant need to recapture their sense of novelty that results to a more exciting life. Others go to new places to seek new challenges such as a new job or career, or try a lifestyle unfamiliar to them. There is no room for complacency but enthusiasm and awe steers the life of these people. Thus, to see new places, adapt to peculiar cultures, learn foreign languages and meet new people can be most exhilarating experience.
Then, there are the drifters, those who journey without a destination. They wander aimlessly. Without specific purpose, they move as long as they can. From place to place they come and go. They take almost nothing with them but the barest of essential and the wind against their faces. Contrary to the romanticized image of a “carefree” lifestyle we read about in popular fiction or as depicted in cinema, it could be a hard, lonely and meaningless existence.
Finally, there are those who left their origins because, according to them, they wanted to find their “selves”. It probably sounds abstract yet we each have that tendency to search for that place where we are most at ease or simply be ourselves; a place where we are at home.
As I keep the postcards my friend sent me, I wonder if she and others who migrated will ever go back home. But where is home? Is it to go back to our place of origin? Is it the place where we fulfilled our wishes and be with family? Or is it the place we aspired for or dreamed about? Maybe, it is the place where we found our life’s vocation? Or perhaps, the place where we gained ourselves?
As vital as migration, we search for that distinct place we call “home”. It is a universal call. Sooner or later, we all have to settle somewhere and establish our roots. A Chinese proverb says, “Wherever you settle, there is your home.” It is not necessarily be our place of origin or our native land. It might not even be an actual place. It may be just lurking within us.
An old adage says, “Home is where the heart is”. Depending on where our heart is, home can be our family, our career or vocation, our aspirations. The place where we are is not important. Here or there, we can claim our own niche; build ourselves. Within us is the ability to create that haven, a refuge amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Anywhere we could find ourselves. When these are achieved, we are home. Where we could find personal contentment and inner peace that is home.
Yes, we each have the option to migrate or to stay where we are now. In a sense, we are all pilgrims in this world. But somewhere, there is a home waiting for us. For the moment, while we long for that elusive “home”, we go on with our living and do what we ought to do. At the end of the day, we each will receive a postcard from home beckoning us to settle, be at peace with ourselves and the world around us ---- wherever we may be.
DJ FLAME
July 19, 2009
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