Friends are the family

"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves" -- Edna Buchanan

Today on Christmas Eve, me and Faizan were invited at dinner by Elli and her family. Elli's parents had arrived from Bulgaria to celebrate christmas and new year with their children.
For me who is living far away from family for over 4 years, and for Faizan who is here for two year, it was like a fresh breeze to experience home-atmosphere away from home. Together, we ate, shared old photo-albums, talked on serious matters, played a couple of funny games, shared jokes, took funny pictures of each other and distributed presents.
It is difficult to put feelings into words, but all I can say is that I felt home. There was a warmth that comes when you are in the lap of mother, and there was a sense of comfort and safety which you feel only when you have father on your side. Room was filled with the joy and each breath created ripples in an otherwise static pond of life. All of us were sitting around a table, but I could listen the beat of love on which our souls were dancing in a circle.
I experienced, "what is home and what is the meaning of family?" and knew their importance.
Thank you so much Elli and family for bringing us in your circle.
Merry Christmas all.

from Left to Right
Back row: Kamran, Faizan, Elli's mother and father
Front row: Elli, Gergana, Kalina