You know, I enjoyed thinking about your points for a few nights especially with the line of - 'being (ones own) witness'; that struck a chord with me too. really poetic way of saying it.

i wonder if people with unique childhood experiences have to deal with this a disproportionate amount since that starts the shared experiences and commonalities and all. diaspora folks, people who may have had an early life affected by medical maladies, army brats who moved from place to place (though not of their own choosing) - there's already a more limited common experience to share with, with people in the "new" places for lack of a better word.

appreciate your thoughts~