ahh I can relate to an extent, I left my mum dad and brother .. and dog .. in England when I was 18 to come to Canada for 2 yrs and ended up staying since 1965! Long story but had many twists and turns and it seems the older I get the more I 'miss' having family around a lot... of course parents now passed away and my brother died a few years ago but it was also the relatives and get togethers, births, funerals, weddings. I often think of that when I see, meet or hear of an immigrant from another country - may have left behind a lot of bad things but leaving family behind is heartbreaking in the long run. But I always say my memories are in my heart and my head - had to be that way - and the gifts, possessions are token of love and celebrations etc, but are still just 'things' IMO