Home is a feeling

For me, Home has never been a wood frame structure and clay put together. It’s never been situated on a street or a city. Home is not a collection of items or furniture, or even the pretty decorations for holidays. Home is a feeling. Home is family, traditions and memories. My family makes me feel at home. My one, and only favorite brother, Declan, is a caring and loving teenager. As I see my brother grow I realize what kind of man he will become. I wouldn’t be here without my mother. She will always be there for me and makes me laugh. My father is a person that would make you smile and make you feel safe when times are tough or scary. I find home in our hugs and in the cheering at my volleyball games. The traditions we create make me feel at home. It’s when carolers come and sing Christmas songs at dusk at your doorstep to make you feel loved and important. We always set up the Christmas tree and listen to jazz Christmas music while my mother makes our turkey dinner. I find home in our memories like going to Florida, spending quality time with each other and expanding our relationships. Saturday nights, we watch Survivor as a family. Sometimes we even watch hockey or baseball and root for our team. These memories we create make me feel at home. Unfortunately, when a family does not have the security, safety, and warmth, these moments of beauty can be overtaken by hard times. In writing this essay, I hope that more families will have the chance to build their own sense of home, knowing that their family is safe and loved.