It's More than Things

Some people think that just having a house for shelter is a home, but it is so much more than a roof over your head. A home is a very important place where you can be yourself and feel safe. A home for most people is a place where they have a sense of family to come home to even though that family can look very different for everyone. Unfortunately, in some circumstances, people don't actually have a family to come home to, or have someone to rely on to bring the turkey when it is Thanksgiving or even give them a big hug when they need it. For most people, having family or even a pet in some way helps the house become more of a home. All families are different. Most people have items in their home that create comfort like a couch to relax, a bed to sleep and a bathroom to have privacy. All of these things help someone to relax and keep them feeling healthy, safe and rested. Most homes also have a kitchen that gives them comfort by having a specific place for everyone to gather and have their meals together. You need to eat to survive, but having a place where you can share a good meal and talk to others about how your day went, even if it was not a good day, helps people survive the stress of daily life. Having a place to gather with others helps people to always have company and never have to feel alone. Thankfully, people who don’t have family living with them, usually have access to a phone to connect with their families from the comfort of their home. When life gets tough, having people to support you is very important. Another bonus of having a home is that you are able to express yourself and your personality your likes and dislikes without being judged through decorating. Most people choose items to surround themselves with that remind them of happy memories or just make them smile. I also have pets who make me feel secure and happy. When I am sad, they are always there to comfort me and make me feel good. My family has worked hard at making a home for our cats by giving them their own beds and scratching posts so they too feel safe and comfortable. Some people, including my family, have plants in their homes. This helps to create a comforting feeling by bringing the outdoors inside. Not only do plants provide oxygen which makes them a healthy option, but they are also beautiful to look at too! A home can keep you safe from viruses such as Covid by protecting you and making you feel safe. Some people might also put a garden in their backyard which would allow people to be able to grow their own food or just have another place with beautiful nature and flowers that can make them feel safe and happy. Personally, I love to go outside and feel the sun on my back and know that by gardening I’m helping the plants, flowers and crops grow which can help me to be more healthy. Lastly, a home is a place where you have traditions and make lasting memories. All of my family loves music so one tradition that we have is singing Christmas carols together after sharing a meal on Christmas Eve. It always brings me such joy and peace to sing or even to just close my eyes and listen because I truly enjoy spending time with my family. When we think of a home, often we just focus on the walls with a roof, but as you can see, a home is so much more than that! It is where memories are made and where you, along with your friends and family, can always feel comfortable and safe. The world we live in can be scary at times, but if you have a home, especially with a family, whatever that family looks like, can make you feel secure and content.