I was ready for a pause.

Drawing a deep, steadying breath, I stepped off the airplane onto the familiar tarmac path. The scent of the air, tinged with jet fuel and anticipation, unfurled memories of a tearful goodbye spoken a year ago in this very terminal. Now, with each step, the warm embrace of home wrapped around me, whispering words of welcome and return. I was finally home.

Being at home made me reflect on the concept of ‘pause.’ I used to play the piano, dabbled in the violin as a child, and later played the drums in my youth. The word ‘pause’ often appears in music, especially for dramatic effect. One of these musical ‘pauses’ is known as the ‘breath mark’ or ‘luftpause.’ It’s a type of pause that shortens the duration of a note. I took a ‘breath mark’ from my adventures in the Middle East to savor the comforts of home. It felt good to be back.

Upon my arrival, the first thing I received, apart from a warm hug from my parents, was an iced cappuccino made with chocolate milk (just the way I like it) from Tim Hortons. It was like heaven in a cup. I can’t express the emotions I felt upon seeing my parents after a year – the longest I had ever been away. If you know me, you’d know that my parents are my world. As many children say of their parents, I also believe my parents are the best in the entire world. Seeing them instantly made me catch my breath, take a pause, and get ready for the new adventures and rekindling of friendships that lay ahead in the summer months at home.

Coming home means reuniting with friends and loved ones. What’s truly remarkable is the enduring intimacy with those who matter most; it’s as if time hasn’t passed at all. Upon returning this summer, many of my friendships felt as though I had merely been away for a weekend. As our lives progressed, even with the distance, we found ourselves with an abundance of experiences to share. For the first time, I reveled in recounting my adventures and being candid about the challenges I faced abroad. It’s comforting to know how many have kept me in their thoughts and prayers. Reconnecting allowed me to celebrate new births, applaud major milestones, and witness the personal growth of those dear to me. It’s moments like these that underscore the sentiment: “These truly are the best years of our lives.”

While I was abroad, video calls became a lifeline, making the distance from my loved ones bearable. Looking back on past generations who relied solely on letters to communicate across vast distances, I’m profoundly grateful for today’s technology. These virtual interactions provided moments of reprieve, offering a fleeting sense of being back home. It was a moment where I could pause and feel as though I was in the living room with a loved one. During my time back, I relished a true digital detox. Surprisingly, I hardly watched TV, and I only reached for my phone when necessary. This disengagement allowed me to be truly present, forging deeper connections and immersing myself fully in my time at home. I took a pause from the technology I had so diligently relied on to stay connected over the past year to enjoy every minute that I could.

It’s fascinating how we often don’t realize the comforting symphony of familiar sounds that make up the ‘sounds of home’ until we’re away. Some sounds are missed more than others, but each one holds a special place in our hearts. I longed for the sizzle of bacon in the morning, expertly cooked by someone other than myself, as I slowly roused from sleep. I yearned for the bustling sound of my mom as she hurriedly moved through the house on her way to her morning workout. The anticipation of hearing the mailman climb our steps to deliver a package, hopefully containing some delightful goodies I had ordered, brought a sense of joy. I might have even missed the noisy squabbles of magpies and bluejays outside my bedroom window in the early morning.

The quiet serenity of my morning walks in the ravine, with its familiar and harmonious language, felt like a distant memory after months away. I craved the playful banter and laughter of my friends and sisters, and I cherished the hearty laughter of my husband when we reunited with our closest friends, who have a unique way of bringing out the best in him.

And then there’s my dad, who never fails to say ‘I love you, sweet pea’ when I leave the house – a phrase that warms my heart every time I hear it. These sounds are a comforting melody of home, like a familiar song that soothes the soul.

Yet, being away has introduced me to a different type of music, a new set of sounds that have their own charm. As much as I cherish the sounds of home, I’m also okay with taking a short pause from them. It’s in these pauses that we truly appreciate the beauty of both the familiar and the unfamiliar.

Isn’t it funny that when life gives us a pause it feels more like an accelerato. I always am fascinated by this. The moments we want to take in and enjoy the most are the ones that feel like they’re on fast forward. Being in the moment was something I was committed to doing, but sometimes it was a bit of a sensory and emotional overload.

I found myself once again embarking on another year of adventures abroad. As I prepared to leave, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of bittersweet feelings surround me. It was time to bid farewell to the serenity of my break, the cherished moments with friends, the warmth of family gatherings, and the familiar sights, sounds, and scents of home. knew that the upcoming year abroad would bring new experiences and growth, making the farewells all the more meaningful.

As I sat in the terminal, waiting to embark on another year of adventure, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that had led me here. The past year had been a whirlwind of experiences, challenges, and growth. I had laughed, cried, and learned so much, both about the world and about myself. And now, as I prepared to leave home once more, I felt a profound sense of peace. Life, I realized, was like a beautiful piece of music, with its crescendos and decrescendos, its pauses, and its moments of silence. Each note, each moment, had its purpose in composing the symphony of my world. I had come to embrace the rhythm and flow of experiences that had brought me to this point.

With gratitude in my heart, I knew that I was ready to step onto that tarmac once again, to board that plane that would carry me into a new year of adventures and discoveries. Just as I had found my way home in the familiar scent of the air when I arrived, I knew that I would find my way wherever I went.

As I rose from my seat and made my way towards the boarding gate, I carried with me the memories and lessons of the past year. I was filled with excitement for the new experiences that awaited me, and I was ready to face them with an open heart and a sense of wonder. In that moment, I realized that home was not only the place where I had started my journey; it was also the place where I would return, both physically and in my heart.

No matter where life took me, I knew that I would always find my way back home.