The True Meaning of Home

Home is warm and steady, a place that follows me. My peaceful home in Africa to my noisy home in Canada. When I step downstairs, it smells like my mom’s rich, spicy, beautiful African cuisine that wafts up the house with its delicious aroma – stews that hug you, sauces that sing, and rice that carry our memories. My loving mom and dad always spend time with me and my lovely family. Their calm, caring presence keeps me safe all lifelong. Home is the loud and exciting energy of my big brother and little sister. They can be annoying sometimes, but they are endlessly entertaining, pretty amusing, and full of wild imagination. With them, even normal days can turn into colourful adventures. And all the vacations and experiences we go on together feel incredibly special, because being with them makes everything feel brighter, happier, and more like home. My bedroom is my quiet, cozy sanctuary. It's filled with soft, cuddly stuffies that make me feel warm and protected. My soft, pink, special blanket is the comforting thing I touch every day. Its gentle, familiar feeling makes everything feel right again when I feel sad or angry. That room is where I breathe, think, and feel right again. We phone Grandpa sometimes, and his calm, steady voice makes the distance between us feel small. Home is not just a house, it's where you and your family’s hearts are. A home is where love settles, where memories grow, and where you can feel truly yourself. Thank you, Habitat for Humanity, for making this world a happier place, and for building safe, hopeful homes where dreams can rest and hearts can grow. Michelle