Home: What It Means to Me

Додому - Ile - Home What It Means to Me What is home? Is home a building, an apartment, or a treehouse? For me, home is a place where you're comfortable and where you can be your true self. I’ve already had three homes before I came to Canada, but each of these homes had one thing in common: love. Firstly, I had a home in Sumy, Ukraine, where I was born. In this home, I was allowed to grow as a baby as I was surrounded by loving friends and family. Secondly, I had a home in Abeokuta, Nigeria, which was my grandma’s house. I stayed there for one year during the time in my young life when I started memorizing things. I remember feeling loved. Thirdly, my home in Ibadan, Nigeria, which is where I lived most of my life. I was always comfortable and had lots of fun while growing up until the age of 9. Lastly, my home in Winnipeg, where I live now. I have only been here for ten months, but I already know that this apartment is my home. I know ten months sounds small, but believe me, it is plenty enough time to call a place home and mean it. In all my homes, I’ve been surrounded by my family. My dad is Nigerian, and my mom is Ukrainian. Together, my family is the support I’ve needed through life’s obstacles. Home means being welcomed by warm greetings. Home means having fun with my family. Whether it’s a pillow fight or a movie night, it doesn’t matter to me if we are together. Home means knowing I’m surrounded by people I love and people who love me unconditionally. That’s what home means to me. What does home mean to you?