This personal account is written by Anusuya Datta, a Saskatoon-based writer and journalist. For further details on personal narratives, refer to the FAQ.
When we adorned our house with holiday lights in early December in Saskatoon, the absence of snow didn’t diminish my admiration for our abode. The belief that “Home is where the heart is” has resonated with me, and after three years in Canada, it seems we have discovered our true home.
Upon entering the house during our initial visit while house-hunting, my husband, teenager, and I were captivated by the profusion of windows that flooded every room with a warm, inviting glow from all angles, even in the basement.
“Ma, this feels like home,” my child exclaimed, a smile on their face that I hadn’t seen in a while, followed by a playful remark about it not resembling a dentist’s office like the other houses we had visited.
This house, with its simplicity, coziness, expansive front lawn, swaying poplar trees in the backyard, and abundant windows, felt just right—not grand, not big, not small. It was simply perfect, and it was love at first sight.
Rekindling Childhood Memories of Home
Surrounded by Christmas lights, lush greenery, and fallen leaves in our backyard, memories of my childhood home in India resurfaced, with its similar natural expanse that held a fragrant jasmine bush and towering sunflower plants. Recollections of our mischievous antics, like digging up the garden for a makeshift irrigation system, filled me with nostalgia and gratitude for the chance to recreate such memories with my own family.
The past few years in Saskatoon following our move from Delhi have been unpredictable. Our previous home in India, an investment made as a young couple, symbolized ownership and a canvas for our dreams, contrasting with the high-rise apartments typical of Delhi. Our Delhi abode, bathed in sunlight and filled with cherished memories, was a perfect fit for us as a couple and later as a family of three.
The Transience of Renting
Leaving our Delhi home to start afresh in Saskatoon felt like leaving a piece of our hearts behind, exacerbated by the impermanence associated with renting. Our rental apartment lacked warmth, with thin walls and basic furnishings, rendering it a place to reside rather than a true home.
The transition during the COVID-19 pandemic added to our sense of impermanence, culminating in our decision to purchase a house in September. Our new Saskatoon home, beyond its physical structure, signifies a new chapter filled with personalization, memories, and milestones.
Embracing our new home, we are slowly establishing roots in Saskatoon, a place that has transformed from a mere location on the map to a beacon of hope, underscoring the essence of home as a chosen place rather than merely a place of origin.
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