Homeland

First of all, thanks to the Write@Home for giving me the opportunity to write. I would like to share about my experience in my hometown when I was a child and growing up with my beautiful family.

I was born into a poor family in Thailand. I was the sixth child and I have 8 siblings. When I was young, my house was made of wood and bamboo, the roof was thatched with grass and around the house we planted flowers. Everyday, my parents would get up early to go to the farm. We didn’t have a car so my parents and I had to start walking to the farm at 4:00 am to arrive at the farm around 7:00am.

Our farm was very beautiful and the atmosphere was very fresh, surrounded by forests. We had fruits and vegetables that we didn’t need to buy. We had a large fish pond, a wide rice field, and a large corn field. There were chickens, buffaloes, cows, ducks, and five dogs who helped take care of the farm plus the sound of birds singing to us all the time. It’s a paradise on earth that some people may not have experienced. Sometimes, my siblings and I saw planes flying through the sky, we were very happy and excited.

As for our studies, my eldest brother was the one who fed us and dressed us up. I finished primary school at home, then I continued to study in the province until the end of grade 7. My parents couldn’t send everyone to continue their studies, so I decided to study and work in Bangkok until I got married, and moved to Canada in 2015 with my husband and son. I will never forget the feeling that the first time I got on a plane I was so scared and confused. When I arrived in Canada, I was very happy to be in a developed country.

I have never regretted being born into a poor family, because it taught me how to be smarter, hardworking and to be self-sufficient in every situation. Dear hometown, I miss you wherever I am.