Home by Liza

My home in a new country. When I think about the word home I think about warmth. But when I had to leave my home, home felt cold, not warm. Before Canada, I had a different home in another country. I had my own room, my own toys, and a lamp that played music. Then a war started. I didn't really understand what that meant. One day, my mom said we had to leave. I didn’t know we would go so far away from everything I had ever known. We packed very fast. I put my favourite toys in a suitcase and left. I wanted to take my grandma with me, but she said the trip was too long. When I first came to Canada, I was very scared. I missed my home. I missed my two cats we left behind. I missed my bed. I missed my neighbourhood and the snow. I didn’t understand the new language. At school, the words sounded very fast, and I couldn't really understand or pronounce them. Sometimes I just smiled when I didn't know what to say to people. I couldn't even think of one word that my teacher told me. I was afraid I couldn’t pronounce things properly, and kids wouldn’t understand me. But I actually learned really fast. I practiced and started to feel great. Now I understand English and I have lots of friends. We are even in the same class this year! I love inviting my friends to my home. Now, I have a new home. I have some new friends, and I have a new cat. I have a new bed, and I have a new apartment. I have new toys. It feels very good to be in my new house because it is warm and soft. I feel relaxed when I'm in my home. My home is a safe place because my cat, my mom, and my dad are with me, and there is no war. I hope that every child like me has a home and that there will be no war in the world.