My Home - And what it Means to Me

When you search up “home”, this is what you would get. The place where one lives permanently, as a member of the household. But what does permanently mean? My home can be many different places, whether it’s my grandmother’s small but spacious apartment in China, or the rustic motel I slept in for a week in Hawaii, my home is much more than a building. Hiking up a difficult trail, and flopping down on the ground when you reach the top, exhausted but happy. Helping my parents and uncles and aunties make dumplings and other inviting foods for Chinese New Year as we talk and laugh together, as a family. Digging up weeds in my front lawn on sweltering hot summer days, while occasionally sneaking a mouthwatering barbecue rib off the grill, cooking a luscious pumpkin pie with my family on chilly autumn days, the sun peeking through clouds with flurries of falling leaves. Playing board games on the coffee table, wrapped in a thick, woolen blanket with a cup of steaming, rich, hot chocolate in your hands. This is my home. Digging through the pantry above our cooktop, looking for snacks to enjoy and savor. My mom, in her forever-messy hair and warm smile, always cooking, always, cleaning, always busy. The decadent, delicious pastries and desserts we would make together for Christmas, to my own, everyday lunch, every moment with her is precious to me. My dad, living on 10 cups of coffee each day, and when we would eat ice cream straight out of the carton while watching cartoons or sports, even if my mom doesn’t approve. My home can be homey, (Get it?) cozy, and chaotic all the same time. My home can be my skating rink on difficult training days, where I know, when I get home, there will always be a cookie or dish waiting for me, or my room, in all its disasterful glory. When I flop down on my bed, my gigantic plush bear almost gives a wave, as if to say, “hi, how was your day?” When rain taps lightly on my window, I can snuggle close to my mom, and we would stay home for the day, maybe getting takeout for dinner and play on my Nintendo Switch. When I’m sad or lonely, my family makes me feel better. We laugh and tell funny jokes about each other that make me smile. You know that trees have roots, but so do humans. Some people have to travel far and wide to reconnect with their family and find theirs, but I already found mine. My family, friends, coaches, teachers, trainers, and bubble tea shop are all here. I don’t need to look anymore, I already found my home.