I’ve lived in 6 countries, on 3 continents, in 15 cities (where ‘lived’ means 6 months or more). Only once by choice; the rest were either chosen by my parents when I was young, or by necessity (studies or work) as I grew older.

I am originally from a place I no longer recognize; I feel closer to another place, but I don’t really belong anywhere.

As I moved, I grew detached from places and cultures. I have vivid memories of that.

Except for people. I was very fortunate on many occasions with the people in my life. That is where I belonged.

But my story with people has been a mix of triumph and tragedy:

  • They were my window to new ideas and feelings, and a source of warmth and coziness.
  • And the source of some of my most painful scars.

The tree of life grew and diverged:

  • There are those with whom I lost contact when I/they moved (before the digital era).
  • And those with whom our relationship didn’t thrive in the digital realm.
  • Those whom I wronged.
  • Those who wronged me.
  • Those who, despite surviving so much, didn’t survive the changes in context and experience, and with whom we are now stuck in the past and in nostalgia.
  • Those with whom the cultural differences clashed unexpectedly, resulting in confusion and loss of trust.
  • Those I ended up hating, and with whom I ended my relationship.
  • And those who ended up hating me, and who ended their relationship with me.
  • Some passed away.
  • Some were consumed by life tragedies.

Only a few relationships survived. The future doesn’t look very different from the past.

To all my life comrades, those who are still around and the fallen many, I say: Hurrah to all of you! To all the times—the good and the bad. You made me who I am today. I am forever grateful.

Many of the sharp lines of my younger self (principles, right and wrong, etc.) are fading away and becoming meaningless.

It’s not yet the empire of dirt, but it’s steadily getting there.

May we meet again in Valhalla, my dear friends, in simpler times, around a campfire, on the beachside in Barcelona, with music, dance, and laughter. No worries, no sorrows, no apologies, no tomorrow—just today.

…