Finding Home Through Travel and Connection
Today, I want to share some reflections on the blessings in my life —particularly the blessing of travel and the freedom it offers to explore new places and experience new feelings.
I’ve been fortunate to journey beyond my familiar surroundings, discovering not only new landscapes but also insights into belonging, identity, and the meaning of home.
Building Homes for Our Souls Home is more than a physical place; it’s a feeling, a connection we build with our community, our friends, and our chosen family. These connections are the foundation of the homes we create for our souls.
On a recent trip to New York City—the Big Apple—I was struck by the way this bustling metropolis encouraged me to reflect on where I come from.
Discovering Belonging in New York As I wandered the busy streets of New York, answering questions from strangers, I found myself saying proudly, “I’m from Canada—Cornwall, Ontario.” And while I stopped short of sharing my full address, I felt a surge of pride and gratitude for my hometown.
In a city adorned with countless American flags, I couldn’t help but think: where is my Canadian flag? That question became a profound reminder of belonging. It underscored how special Cornwall is to me—a place where I feel safe, connected, seen, and heard.
Cornwall is my big family. It’s the friends and neighbors who have made this place feel like home. It’s where I feel useful and inspired to contribute to the community that has given me so much.
Human Connection in the City That Never Sleeps New York’s streets teem with life—a constant ebb and flow of people moving together, yet individually unique. This kaleidoscope of humanity reminded me of the intricate connections we all share.
On just one street, in one day, I heard six different languages and witnessed the universal human desires for joy, celebration, and new beginnings. Crowds gathered around the iconic Christmas tree, united in their awe and excitement.
This vibrant diversity highlighted a truth that transcends borders: we are all connected. Across the world, we are like tiny pieces in a grand mosaic, each contributing to the beauty of the whole.
A Lesson in Resilience and Unity York also revealed the resilience of humanity, where historic brownstones stand alongside towering modern skyscrapers. This juxtaposition reflects our ability to honor the past while embracing progress, staying united in the shared journey of life.
And then, of course, there’s the Statue of Liberty—a timeless symbol of hope and welcome. Standing proudly in the harbor, she lifts her lamp beside the golden door, a beacon for newcomers and a reminder of the power of human connection.
The poem inscribed on her pedestal, Emma Lazarus’s The New Colossus, captures this sentiment beautifully:
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
These words, written in 1883, resonate just as powerfully today. They remind us of our shared responsibility to create safe spaces for one another, to welcome others with open hearts, and to recognize that our connections are the strongest, most healing force we have.
Grateful for the Journey As I reflect on my travels and my roots, I’m filled with gratitude—not only for the places I’ve seen but also for the sense of belonging I’ve found, both in Cornwall and beyond.
In a world filled with diversity and wonder, may we never forget that it is our connections that make us whole.
Yaffa Goawily – Art Specialist/Art Advisor – Community development through art. Yafa Arts & Crafts www.yaffa.ca
