The Meaning and Feeling of Home

Home does not have one place or meaning. It is a place in our hearts that allows us to be free, happy, and safe. Home is a secure haven where we are surrounded by people who love us. A place to live with our families, pets and enjoy time with friends. It’s a place filled with enchanted memories of excitement, chaos to last a lifetime, and tears of joy. Home can be simple, like an open door of peace. It envelopes us with love, laughter, kindness, and even occasional fights with a sprinkle of sweetness that makes everything better. In one word, home is Family. Family is not just our mother, father, and siblings. Family is whomever we love and deeply care for; the people that make home our own. It is a unique and remarkable place where we feel safe to be ourselves. When people enter, they automatically feel the soft sense of beautiful and unique memories gliding peacefully through the air. These memories last forever. Made to be told, kept, and appreciated. Home is filled with fresh smells of meals and cultural foods; for me, it's when my beautiful mom and sister make me my favorite Mexican meal, like chilaquiles with a side of tamales steaming right out of the pot. Delectable family meals together sharing stories and memories. Home feels like the happiness of spending time on the court playing tennis with my dad and my best friend Sasha. That is why I have one desire: I want everyone on earth to have an equal chance to share, embrace, and relish the feeling of coming home and feeling free, safe, and most importantly, loved. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, this goal is achievable.