Meaning of Home

“It’s not how big the house is, it’s how happy the home is,” This quote grabbed my attention while researching the difference between a house and a home. For me, a house is made up of all the physical parts that put it together during construction. These materials could include cement, bricks, mortar, titles,wood and even the thousands of nails hidden in the walls. The house, therefore, elicits feelings of physical security and safety from intruders, weather conditions, and protection from wildlife. A house takes care of all your bodily needs such as shelter, warmth and food. However, it doesn’t address the security of your heart. Referring once again to the quote, although my house has 6 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, it’s the happiness I feel when I enter the doors of my “home” that is made up of love, family, holidays celebrations, and traditions that provide me with emotions; safety and security. An analogy I could use to explain how happy my home is to me is to take in the five senses. I can hear the love in my mother’s voice as she greet me unconditionally. I can see the laughter and happiness on my siblings’ faces while fooling around on the couch together. I can smell the aroma of the mooncakes on Chinese New Year waffling through the kitchen. I can taste my Nutella banana bagel lovingly prepared for me by my nanny. Most importantly, I can feel the strength and stability of being a member of a family together in a home. In conclusion, “it’s not how big the house is, it’s how happy the home is.” This is what’s important to me.