A House With No Walls

“Daddy, let’s play a game. I want you to close your eyes and imagine a house. What would it look like? What would it have inside?” “Hmm, well, for starters it would probably have walls. Every house needs walls to keep everyone warm and safe. Besides, without walls, it would be too windy all the time.” “Not this house, Daddy. It doesn’t need walls. In this house, we keep each other warm and safe with hugs, love, and support. Plus, I can let my heart soar without walls to restrict me.” “No walls? Okay, then it must have a roof? A good, sturdy roof would shelter us from rain and snow, and keep us shaded and cool in the summer when it's hot!” “Not this house, Daddy. It doesn’t need a roof either. In this house, we shelter each other with kindness and understanding. And my imagination can fly unconstrained without a roof holding it down.” “What a peculiar house, to not have walls or a roof. Perhaps just a floor then? Something to keep you up off of the ground?” “Not this house, Daddy. It doesn’t need a floor at all. In this house, no matter how sad or discouraged I may feel, there is always someone to lift me up again.” “What kind of a house is this? If a house doesn’t have walls, a roof, or a floor, then I’m not sure it is a house at all!” “No, you are right Daddy. It is not a house at all. Of course, all of those things create the structure of a house. But this isn’t just a house. It’s my home, and it’s the way I feel at home that means the most to me.”