The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

If I could live anywhere in the world, the answer would be as clear as the star-studded skies of my ancestral homeland: Bangladesh. There’s something deeply grounding about the idea of going back to where my family’s roots lie, to live in a place where life flows with the rhythm of nature, just as it did for my grandfather.

I still vividly remember the stories of my grandfather’s way of life—a life that, in today’s world, seems almost idyllic. He raised cows, chickens, goats, and ducks; he had a big pond teeming with fish, and all around, there were fruit trees bearing mangoes, jackfruits, and bananas. His life was one where you lived off the land, in tune with its seasons, its moods, and its offerings. That’s how I’d love to live, with a bit of land, working with the earth and reaping its blessings, the way he did.

In this dream, I’d still want my luxuries—a comfortable home, reliable internet (I’m too attached to my tech to part with it entirely!), a few modern conveniences to make life easier. But mostly, I’d want the peace, the simplicity, and the authenticity of a life tied to the land. There’s a beauty in living where you know each sunrise brings a new day of honest, meaningful work—a purpose and peace you can feel in your bones.

But of course, life is rarely so simple. I’m tied down, like so many of us, by work, bills, and the everyday responsibilities that keep me anchored here. And my family—the core of my life—comes first. Even when my children are grown, the thought of being far from them feels like a distant impossibility. There’s something about being close, about being a support whenever they need it, that’s woven into who I am.

So, for now, this life in Bangladesh remains a dream. Maybe it’s a ‘one-day’ dream, maybe it’s just a thought to hold onto. But it’s a comforting one, a reminder that there’s a world waiting, where life could be simpler, slower, and perhaps richer in the ways that matter most. Until then, I’ll keep the idea close, and who knows—maybe someday it’ll be more than just a dream.