I’ve been sick for several days, and while it isn’t the first time I’ve been sick living abroad, a desire for the familiar is hitting harder this time.
As a child of the 1980s and ‘90s, a “sick day” looked something like this:
See that little can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle in the corner?
That’s what I’ve been craving.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to get your hands on that particular version of chicken noodle soup in Spain unless you’re either willing to import it at great cost or attempt to make your own. And the second option? It isn’t even on the table when I’m sick and don’t feel like babysitting my own pot of soup.
More than the flavor, it’s the sense of “home” I’m missing.
My mom making me a bowl of soup. Turning the TV on to a mindless show. No other cares in the world except for getting back to school and feeling better.
That world no longer exists, but that taste of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle? It brings all those warm, cozy feelings rushing back.
I posted these thoughts on Threads, and the responses were mixed—everything from “Learn to make your own soup,” to “I understand what you’re saying completely,” to “Cooking your own is so much better for you.”
Only one of those responses really understood what I was getting at.
The nostalgia I’m feeling is twofold. It’s a reminder that I no longer have my mom to take care of me, and that I can never go back to a time in which I had no responsibilities.
I wasn’t looking for a “fix.” Mostly, I wanted to share that yes, it is difficult to live abroad, 4,000+ miles from home, and without some of the creature comforts I took for granted in the U.S.
But a part of me also wanted to share that being a responsible adult out in the world doesn’t mean you ever stop missing your mom.
I write here about building a life abroad—slowly, imperfectly, and with a lot of trial and error.
You can subscribe to receive new posts by email, or support this work with a paid subscription, one-time contribution, or just hit the ❤️ button below to help others find poco a poco.
If you’d like to reach out directly, you can find me at jen@jeninspain.com.
More on navigating life far from “home”:
The Price is Right and saltines hits home 🤗. I hope you’re feeling better soon! And the internet can be such a terrible place sometimes, ignore those nasty threads comments!
Hope you feel better soon. Your pictures are spot on for what being sick meant when I was growing up. The TV, tissues, Campbell’s soup-big bonus if it was the chicken and stars kind. Whoever was sick got to sleep on the couch in the living room. My brother would gather up all of our stuffed animals and put them on the couch with me. To this day, when I feel sick, I want to be on the couch with my tissues, mindless daytime TV and that soup. Thanks for sharing; you made me think of home. Again, hope this finds you on the mend.