What Home Means to Me

When I open the front door of my home, I am not just coming home – I’m entering my own world. My pet dog, Snow, is always there to welcome me and makes sure that my whole family knows that I am home. Then the rest of my family takes over. Home is where I discover the things I love and also discover my limits. I love playing chess, and I try to think many moves ahead, though my games often end quickly. During my piano practise, I play the same section over and over, hoping my fingers would magically know what to do. At home, I am allowed to be myself and stay creative. Unfortunately, my home is also where my worst enemy lives, homework. My homework list is often so long that it feels like it has its own homework list! When I thought I finished all my homework, another assignment would pop up. It happens so often that it feels like my exasperating homework has a secret job creating even more homework. I always try my best to complete all my assignments independently before asking for help, but sometimes they're just too hard, and I can’t finish them on my own. If that happens, I can always rely on my parents for help. At night, I sleep in a warm bed while Snow settles nearby, finally calm for once. My parents tuck me in and say goodnight. In those moments, the world outside fades away. My home is like a shield that protects me from challenges I am not ready to face yet. Not everyone has a home like this. Some people do not have a place where they feel comfortable growing, failing, and trying again. Thinking about this reminds me to be thankful and not take my safe, welcoming home for granted. When somebody gets a home, they don’t just get walls and a roof – they get love and care, and the courage to face the world.