The Warmth Between the Walls

When I wake up at 8:00 in the morning for school, the first thing I see is the calendar hanging on my door. It reminds me of all the days my family and I have shared, ordinary days filled with warmth, laughter, and love. I drag myself to the bathroom, look at my sleepy reflection, and feel the weight of the day ahead slowly fade. As I walk down the hallway, family photos line the walls. They aren’t just pictures; they are stories. Each one pulls me into memories of adventures, celebrations, and quiet moments that made us who we are. By the time I reach the kitchen, my bare feet touch the cold floor, and the smell of warm food fills the air. One bite of sweet pork dumplings brings a tingle of happiness and comfort. Later, when my dad drives me back from school, Google Maps says, “You have arrived,” I smile. A map can tell us where a house is, but it can’t tell us when we truly feel home. Home is where worries shrink, where laughter fills the rooms, and where someone is always happy to see you. Some homes are loud, some are quiet, and some are still waiting to feel complete. But every child hopes for the same thing, a place where they feel safe, loved, and accepted. That morning taught me something important: home isn’t just a place on a map or a building with four walls. It is built with compassion, stability, and love. Thank you, Habitat for Humanity, for turning houses into homes and helping families find a place where the weight lifts from their hearts and what was restless can now be whole.