A rush of emotion suddenly comes over me. I’m sitting by the hotel’s pool under the umbrella. It’s nice to feel the sun with a cool breeze in the air. Indeed, it’s been raining every day since my arrival. Regardless, I’ve been busy and haven’t contemplated on the weather. But today is different. While my colleagues are enjoying they’re Memorial holiday, I’ve taken the occasion to work like I enjoy the most – in an informal an relaxed setting. I’m actually more efficient when I work in public places as I can let my mind wander for an instance as I observe my surroundings. Yes, this afternoon was delightful. I was sitting with my laptop in front of a large fireplace in the Bellevue Square lounge, next to the Starbucks. I’m sipping my coffee and concentrated on my work. Once in a while I glance at people passing by, most heading for lunch with family and friends. 
Later, as I was walking back towards my hotel, I suddenly forgot for a moment where I was. I was thinking of past, present, and future moments; where I’ve lived, and where I’m heading next. In the past year I’ve been in 4 different areas for extended periods of time. At the time I was living in California, then headed for a month in Bellevue, WA for work, where we were supposed to be moving to. With the relocation plans awash, we headed back to California for a few months before moving back to Montreal. After moving back to Montreal I had to head out to London, UK for a total of 5 weeks. Now, a few months later, I’m back in Bellevue for 2 weeks. Full circle. Because of all the back and forth, it happens sometimes that I wake in the morning wrongly thinking, for a fraction of a second, that I’m in one of these places. I can’t help myself but think of a Lost episode where Desmond realizes he needs to find his life constant. Fortunately, I have found my constant, my wonderful wife and son.
It’s under this umbrella, as I write this, that I truly realize that HOME is not WHERE you are, but with WHO you are.
