Kenan Kajan, Zalik, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Street of Happiness
Author: Kenan Kajan
As I reflect on the journey of my life thus far, I consider myself fortunate to have encountered numerous moments of sheer beauty. Despite not having siblings, growing up in a tight-knit and expansive family has brought me immense joy. The unwavering support and care of my extended relatives have made me feel enveloped in a profound sense of love and belonging. Amidst the myriad of memories that have shaped me, there is one from my early childhood that remains etched deeply within my heart.
That particular period of my life seemed overwhelming, marked by challenges and uncertainties. Little did I realize then that it was just a passing phase. When I was around 6 or 7 years old, my parents embarked on the construction of a new house in a neighbourhood situated 3-4 kilometres away from my place of birth and previous dwelling.
In that very neighbourhood, I took my initial steps, uttered my first words, stumbled, and shed tears. It was a place where a group of approximately 7 or 8 children, myself included, united to create a world of captivating childhood games, brimming with laughter and unadulterated joy. Even though it was the aftermath of war, we did not experience any concrete repercussions of the war, apart from a few ruins surrounding us, which we as children simply overlooked.
The construction of our house relied on the limited financial resources available to my parents during that time. We resided in a dwelling that was not truly ours, and to be honest, it was not in the best condition either.
The prospect of finally moving into our own home, a place that would provide us with all the comforts and opportunities for a wonderful, practical, and respectable life, filled me with immeasurable anticipation. I took great joy in visiting the construction site, eagerly observing the progress, and even getting involved as an enthusiastic young boy. After a period of 3-4 years, when I reached the age of 11, the long-awaited moment arrived: it was time to say goodbye to the house that had never truly belonged to us and embark on a new chapter in our own dwelling.
Yet, in the midst of the excitement, as a young child, I was engulfed by a flood of emotions as I came to the realization that I was leaving behind the familiar streets of our old neighbourhood and venturing into a completely new territory. Being surrounded by unfamiliar faces, a new school, and a fresh group of classmates, this transition posed significant challenges for me. It frequently led to tears and heartfelt appeals to my mother, expressing my hesitance to fully embrace this new chapter of my life.
To ease the transition, I frequently had to be taken back to the old neighbourhood to spend time with my friends and engage in playtime. As a fifth-grade student, those initial years in the new school were marked by noticeable academic struggles. It took me a considerable amount of time to adapt to the unfamiliar surroundings and form new friendships. Perhaps it took an entire year. Looking back, it may appear somewhat peculiar or even amusing, but as a 10-year-old boy at that time, it was an immensely challenging and formative life experience.
As time passed, I gradually grew more accustomed to the new environment. I formed strong and enduring friendships that continue to bring joy to my life today. Our new family home became a haven for creating cherished memories, and it remains the place I proudly call home, where I now live with my beloved wife and daughter. In retrospect, what initially felt like an overwhelming obstacle now appears to be a transient phase of personal growth that each individual navigates in their own distinct manner.