Home isn't where you're born

Home isn't where you're born. The door swings open, a welcome embrace, Where footsteps echo, setting the pace. The welcome mat holds the day’s first step, A threshold where journeys pause, then prep! Coats hang like memories in quiet rows, Each pair of shoes, a place it knows. The scent of rain or fresh morning light, This is the space where day meets night. Couch cushions cradles, soft and warm, A space where laughter rides the storm. Books on shelves, photos frame the day, In this room, the world feels at bay. The flicker of candles in the evening’s glow, Every corner hums with a gentle flow. A record spins, and time slows down, Here, we lose the world’s tight crown. This is the place where stories breathe, And in its silence, we always believe. The scent of garlic, fresh bread on the rise, Where every meal is a love filled surprise. Pots clink and sizzle, spices fill the air, It's where family gathers, always a care. The hum of the fridge, the clink of a cup, The bubble of stew as the kitchen warms up. Baking trays warm with sweetness and cheer, A dance of flavors that draw us near. The sink always full of dishes to do, Yet here we share moments that feel so true. Blankets wrap me, a quiet retreat, Where dreams take flights in worlds so sweet. The bed whispers rest after long, busy hours, A haven of peace, where time loses its powers. Pillows hold secrets, both old and new, Where thoughts fade away, as night skies turn blue. The soft glow of nightlights, a tender embrace, The moon's silver touch on resting space. Here, I am whole, at peace, and free, Where I can be all that I long to be. Steam rises like a hug, warm and deep, The bathrooms are my ritual, where I unwind and sleep. A mirror fogged with moments I leave behind, Where I wash off the dust and clear my mind. The sink hums a quiet lullaby, cool and clean, As water spirals, I start to feel serene. Towel hang like sentinels, ready for the end of the day, Soft and clean it takes the bad things away. I close the door and for a moment, I’m whole, The bathroom isn't just a function, it's a place for my soul. The basement where the quiet lives, A space with stories the old house gives. The furnace hums like a old friends voice, A comforting sound, a familiar choice. There's a kind of peace here, hidden and deep, Where shadows and secrets are allowed to keep. As I step back,I take it all in, Each room, each moment, where lifes been. The walls may change, but the heart stays true, Home is the place where I can renew. The laughter, the quiet, the warmth in the air, The scent of old meals, the love everywhere. It's not just the space, but the life that's it holds, A story that's written in memories, bold. So I'll carry this place with me, whenever I roam, For no matter the distance, it will always be home. A place that's alive with each step, each sign, Where I can be whole, and never ask why. Thank you habitat for humanity for giving others what everyone needs.