MY HEAVEN

As Jake stood in the empty house, he looked at the walls which were beautifully painted like a rainbow but as he walked from room-to-room Jake felt…nothing. Jake remembered his tiny house with its worn-out couch and weird neighbors, that was home. The place where he cooked his first meal had countless movie nights and laughed until his sides hurt. The walls had seen his highs and lows, and they felt more than just walls. Jake decided to make this new place his home and started by unpacking not just boxes, but memories. Jake hung photos of his family, arranged books, and set up his favorite coffee mug given by his mom, in the kitchen. Friends came over, and the rooms echoed with laughter. Slowly, the walls became a backdrop for his story. Jake cooked meals that filled empty spaces with warmth and scents. He walked into the living room and took pictures of his friends chatting over dinner to add more moments to his memory wall. The house started feeling lively. One evening as Jake settled into his favorite spot, a stray cat wandered in seeking refuge. Jake smiled, maybe this was a sign. He named the cat Masion, after the French word for house and welcomed Maison into his new space. As he scratched Maison’s ears, Jake felt the emotional connection with the cat. The house slowly started feeling like a home; it was no longer just a house. The difference wasn’t in the structure; it was in the memories he created. Jake took a deep breath, feeling a sense of belonging he had been searching for. He was trying to make a new home away from home where his feelings and memories were, where he felt loved.