Home is Where Your Heart is

Charlotte woke up one morning and got ready for school. As she started to walk to school with her mom, she noticed lots of big houses. Her tiny bungalow was nothing compared to these magnificent houses. The houses she saw were at least three stories tall. Charlotte saw children getting driven to school, speeding past her in their brand-new cars. “Mama, why don’t we have a house like those kids do, and why can’t we drive to school like the other kids?” asked Charlotte. Her mom sighed and took a deep breath. “Those families have a bit more money than we do, so they can afford bigger houses,” said Charlotte’s mom. Her mom noticed that Charlotte looked sad. “You’re just as lucky as all of those kids,” said her mom. “How?” Charlotte asked. “They may have bigger houses and faster cars, but our bungalow makes us happy,” replied Charlotte’s mom. “Have you ever heard of the expression ‘Home is where your heart is?’” asked Charlotte’s mom. “No, what does it mean?” asked Charlotte. “It means that home isn’t a huge house or a mansion, home is where you have all of your happy memories, where your family is and where you always want to be. So it doesn’t matter if you have a big or small house, it matters how you feel when you’re there. The house doesn’t make it a home, the people do,” responded her mom. “I get it now,” said Charlotte, as they arrived at school. Charlotte walked into the school with a grin from ear to ear and never questioned her own, beloved home again.