I am from the smell of the freshly brewed coffee in the morning,

dog barking in the patio of my house,

river in the city, endless traffic jams,

and ruins dating centuries back.

 

I am from satsivi

(Georgian cold dish made of walnut sauce and turkey),

delicious eggplant with walnuts, luscious Gozinaki

(also Georgian dish with honey and walnuts),

and Churchkhela

(Georgian “candy” made of grape and walnuts).

 

I am from “everything happens for a reason”,

“what comes around goes around”,

and “everything will be alright eventually”.

 

I am from friends who became family,

the unforgettable smell of my aunt, mother, and grandma,

and my infinitely joyful cousins.

 

Sopio Nonikashvili