More Than a Home

When it is cold outside, we cuddle together under soft blankets, sip steaming mugs of cocoa scented with chocolate and cinnamon and watch movies or play games while the chilly wind whistles past the windows. Laughter fills the room, mixing with the gentle crackle of the fireplace, and the world outside feels far away. I have learned that home is a place where you are accepted for who you are, no matter what happens. When I moved from Kenya, we arrived during winter. The cold bit through our jackets, our breath formed small clouds in the air, and the sidewalks were slippery with ice. We had never known a cold like that before. But even in a new and unfamiliar place, we were not alone. Friends brought blankets and hot tea, shared smiles, and laughter, and helped us feel at home. Slowly, the unfamiliar became familiar, and the cold did not feel harsh anymore. I have realized that home is also about sharing. The love and security felt inside can ripple outward. Helping others find a place where they can feel safe and accepted is one of the most meaningful things we can do. That is why I am grateful our school supports Habitat for Humanity—reminding us that everyone deserves a safe and loving home. Because home is not just where you sleep; it is where you grow, where you heal, where you laugh until your cheeks hurt, and where the world feels a little brighter. The more we help others experience that feeling, the more our world begins to feel like home. everyone. By opening our hearts and our hands, we can build more than houses; we can build dignity and a future where everyone feels seen, supported, and truly at home.