When someone decides to pack up their life and move to a new country, there are so many things you have to leave behind – some of which you may not even be aware of until you’ve already left. The longing for your oved ones, familiar faces and daily comforts can be unexpectedly intense, AfriForum Worldwide recently asked our friends on our Facebook page: “What is the one thing you wished you could pack in your suitcase when you emigrated?” The answers that we received, touched our hearts deeply.

The longing for family and friends

Many emigrants have mentioned that their longing to have loved ones close, is the most difficult part of their life abroad.

Kristie Townsend, one of our friends on Facebook, said: “I wish I could have packed my mother-in-law and father-in-law in my suitcase! I saw my mother-in-law on our daughter Claire’s first birthday and it meant  a lot to my husband and I.”

Helena Meyer says: “I miss my children so much, I will just go with an empty suitcase.”

Many emigrants mentioned that their longing to have loved ones close, is the most difficult part of their lives abroad. This longing for family ties and shared moments, big or small, is something that is reflected in every emigrant’s experience.

But it is not only family and friends that would bring people together.

More than people – things that make you feel at home.

But is not just the people. For some it is the little things they miss, such as Afrikaans books, personal items or even the weather!

• Magdel Jansen van Vuuren said she wished she had packed more Afrikaans books, her protea décor and all her three-legged black pots.
• For others like Lizel Koekemoer and Angelique Olivier, the longing for their dogs is just as great as for their family. 
• Mariska Swart said she wished she had packed more photos.
• Carolien Pieterse wrote that she would have brought her mother, mother-in-law and the rest of her family, but she also lost her career because of a skills assessment that she did not do. 
• Carmen Hawkesley wishes that she could have brought “all her people” with her, but also the mountains, open plains, sunshine and bushveld fire.
• Then there is the surprising, but yet significant longing for things, such as Woolworths. Cathy Jacobs and Nadine Cronjé agree that they miss Woolies a great deal, while Heidemari Boswel says with a smile: “Definitely our family, it remains the hardest sacrifice. Of course also King’s Meat’s droëwors, biltong and sosaties!”
• Jozet Müller wishes she could have packed her roots, people and places. Karlien Keen wishes she could have packed the weather and Lenista van der Merwe wishes that she could have packed her domestic worker.

Share your story with us

The emigration process brings new challenges and overwhelming emotions. Longing for family and familiar things is a deeply rooted part of each emigrant’s experience. Do you also have things that you wished you could have packed in your suitcase when you emigrated? We’d love to hear from you! Share your blog and photo with us.

AfriForum Worldwide – a community that understands you

If you are part of our globale community, we know how important it is to stay connected to your heritage and family. AfriForum Worldwide is here to help you keep those ties strong, wherever you are. Join or community, share your story and help us build a future where our culture and traditions live on, even across borders.

We are stronger together. Share your experience and memories with us!  

Photo: Getty Images/ Unsplash