Home in a Nutshell

HOME IN A NUTSHELL By: Mila Chanda gr. 6 The place I shall forever remember and cherish, is, and will always be home. One secure and trusted place to take refuge in when the world seems to be too cavernous to bear. Home is not merely a structure of bricks and beams; it is a sanctuary woven with the invisible threads of love, security, and shared memories. Meaning that home is not always a physical structure as many know, home offers me a place where I can be my authentic self without judgment, and receive love, support, and comfort. Because not everyone has a place they can call home. It all starts the moment I enter through the front door. Gripping the handle of the door, I turn the doorknob and push the door ajar. Shutting the door behind me, I take in the warm surroundings…at last. Such comfort I've never felt before. From there a small hallway, branching out like a tree’s boughs into various areas of the home. I then enter the family territory, also known as the living room. Undoubtedly the most lively and comforting space in all the home. This is where all family memories are made and shared, often involving warmth, laughter, and shared experiences, even amidst chaos. The living room is the heart of the home, a versatile space designed for gathering, relaxation, and personal expression. As I continue on throughout the home, I encounter the powder room, which most prefer not to speak about. Although one thing is to be said, ‘privacy please!’. Next, I will enter the kitchen, home to the most exotic flavours. Each dish curated with love and time, is its own masterpiece. Here, my culture is represented and recreated by each and every dish created. Mm…such mouthwatering flavours yet to be explored. As I near the end of this floor, I ascend to the next. There, as expected, are bedrooms after bedrooms. My bedroom, small as it may be, is inviting and cozy, the design of it all showcasing who I am. It is curated carefully to my taste and liking. With only a small armoire, dressing table, and bed, it is the perfect space for me to unwind. I dream my nights away in a cozy bed laden with a beautiful floral duvet, my head resting on a soft, cloud-like pillow. As I then venture into the outdoors, and into the carefully kept garden, you see all the beautiful flora and fauna. Roses, tulips, daisies, hydrangeas, and more, it is a perfect place to unwind in the surroundings of nature. Occasionally, under the shade of a towering oak, I draw, write, or meditate in the serenity of my surroundings. In addition, situated in the center of the backyard, is the pool. During balmy summers I cool down by having a refreshing plunge. So… Even when a physical house changes or is far away, the true "home" resides in the heart, carried within us through the people we love and the experiences we've shared. The ache for home, that safe place where we can return to ourselves, lives in all of us. Ultimately, "home is where the heart is" because that is where we find true peace, connection, and the essence of who we are.