Home is where...

I have lived in multiple states across the US. At last count, I have lived in eleven of the 48 contiguous states, and have traveled to at least 44 of the 48. (Needless to say, I learned American geography firsthand!) In all those travels, I have learned a lot about people. The most interesting thing about people is that wherever they travel, by the end of their journeys, they usually cannot wait to get back home. Seeing the sights can be fun, thrilling, an adventure, at times even harrowing, but after all is said and done, most folks just want to come back home.

Home is...more than just a house. It is more than just a place to exist. It is a place where we have room to grow, to reach our potentials. It is a place where our children and grandchildren can find connection. It has been said that "Home is where the Heart is." There is truth in that statement. Your home is no one else's. It is uniquely yours. It reflects who you are. And it is a place where you can grow. Take a look around your home. Its more than just a house. The touches that you have added give it the quality that make it a reflection of who you are. It is a place where you can be. A place where you can be...YOU.

Home is...special. Of all the places in the world, there is not another place that feels like home. It is unique. It is one-of-a-kind. Have you ever wondered why our world takes the concept of home so seriously? Think about it: We have homepages for our websites. We have home plate in baseball. We have retirement homes, and nursing homes. We have home-field-advantage. Home is special!

I recall in all the moves that I have made over the years, the first thing that usually happened when we moved into a new house was we took the time to hang pictures, especially in the children's rooms. Seeing things are familiar helps to ease the transitions into a new surrounding. Having those familiar trinkets, pictures, and knick-knacks somehow helps to ease the harshness of the changes. Home became not just the place where our "stuff" was, but was a place that made us feel wanted. At ease. At peace. Home is special.

Home is...sacred. It is a holy place. It is a place where children are raised, and taught family values, beliefs, and customs. It is a place where most of our memories are made. It is a place where relationships are nurtured, plans are dreamt, and hopefully safety abounds. Home is a place where families gather to share the events of their day. They share meals and hopes & dreams. Home is a place where one can feel secure. Home is a place where people can find rest. Home is where the old, old, stories are shared again and again. Stories that remind us of where we came from, how we got here, and who blazed the trails before us. Home is where we are connected with our past and our future.


Here's to home and all that it means.