The Heart of my Home

My home is not just a building with a door, a roof, and fancy furniture. Inside these walls, the noise of the busy world fades away, and I can finally let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Within these walls joy, love, and happiness can reach us but judgement can’t. It is my safety net and my favorite place to be. My home has two heartbeats: one in the sparkling streets of India and one here in Canada. No matter where the area is, home is wherever my family’s laughter echoes throughout the walls. At home, the scent of golden turmeric and toasted cumin wraps around me like a thick woollen blanket, instantly melting away the stress of the school day. A woollen blanket at home feels even more powerful. On quiet afternoons, my mom and I flip through pages in our dusty albums to find my favorite photos like the one of my brother and I taking our very first steps. Under a sky of vibrant violet and gold in the backyard, I hear the satisfying thud when I hit the volleyball against the damp, wet grass. I cherish the strength of my father teaching me. When my brother giggles at my jokes, his eyes shut and his laughter bounces off the walls like a bouncy ball. During Ludo or Chess, the house fills with the rhythmic 'clack-clack' of plastic pieces on the board, and the playful teasing that happens when someone wins on family game nights. Home is where we share feelings. I’m blessed to have a home. Every child deserves a foundation of safety, love, and belonging. Thank you Habitat for Humanity for building homes with more than just walls. You give us a key to unlock a better future and a safe place to live in.