Thank you for sharing, Michelle! How awful that your parents just up and left with no communication. That must have been so tough for you! I don't know your circumstances, but I'd say that you should stay half way across the world if you are happy with it and it suits you. I am ultimately happy that I decided to come back, but it has certainly added family stress back in my life, and I feel I gave up a lot by leaving Paris (my friends, great apartment, a beautiful country with universal health care). If you don't want to or are not ready, there's no need or pressure to return. Enjoy what you have built for yourself!