What My Home Means to Me

 I have heard the words ‘‘Home is where the heart is.’’ My grandmother is the only person who always reminds me of the meaning of home. I can still remember her gestures and the way she said things with regard to the word ‘‘Home. ’’ For me, a home is just an environment where you can be allowed and can be yourself.

I am going to simplify an example from when I was 16 years old. The school at which I was studying, offered us a trip to a place so far from the city. Obviously, it was in the countryside. After that situation in which I lived, I can say that home can be living in a house until camping in the mountains for a few days. Living in the outdoors was a place where I could explore and run its beauty. The first day of camping was very relaxing as we all sat around the fire pit, making marshmallow, and just having fun conversations. I remember the smell of the air was so natural. From that day on, I understood the true meaning that my grandmother had been telling me since childhood.

However, now everything is different. Children grow up, seek their destinies, leave home, and sometimes never return. If they do, it is just to visit their relatives. It is hard for me, because I grew up in a family that is very close, and sometimes the fact of leaving home and having to open roads is difficult. My grandmother left a great legacy for me and the new generations. Home is always a place of memories with certain design, traditions, and technology, which support our memories.

When I think back to the days when I was a child, I think about all of my wonderful childhood memories. Often I wish to go back, back to that point in life when everything seemed simpler. Sometimes I think about it too much, knowing I cannot return. Yet there is still one place I can count on to take me back to that state of mind, my grandparent’s house and the land I love so much. I moved from there about two years ago, and I miss both the advice of my grandfather, and my grandmother's food. Now, I am 22nd years old. I live in the United States and everything has changed. It is difficult to try to maintain the meaning of home, because this is not my house, but I am sure that after my experiences on the school trip, the words of my grandmother I appreciate more than ever. I always try to put them into practice in daily life.

I live with my parents and my little brother. They make me feel like I am at home again. Sometimes, I think how difficult is to live with people you did not grew up with. Then I get many ideas from my situation. I have been able to prove myself that when you feel relaxed and you can be free in that place. I am fine because it feels warm and embraced to me. Two weeks after I came here my father asked me ‘‘How do you feel?’’ I thought he was anxious to know but that answer was very soon to tell him. I just said I feel good, but after two years and a half, I can say that home is not possessions. Home is the feeling you have for being loved by others.

My 22nd birthday was great. My parents and my father’s family side made me a surprise. I went to school in the morning and I felt like they forgot my birthday, but after coming back home they were really ready with everything for my birthday. I opened the door and everybody was clapping, and hugging me. Also my grandparents were there making FaceTime by the phone. My grandmother asked me ‘‘How is everything? ’’. Also, she said gently ‘‘Happy Birthday to you, you should be thankful with God. He gave to you two different homes.’’ I really got her advice. No matter what situation I am going through, because my home has been building memories, experiences and the best lessons that everybody has had in their lives, and then it happens. One day I wake up and I am in this place which I call home. I am in this place where everything feels right. My heart is calm, my soul is lit, and also my thoughts are positive. I am at peace, at peace with where I have been, and at peace with where I am headed.

I conclude that ‘‘Home’’ is my place of memories, with certain design, traditions, and customs which support my memories. My home holds my family and our cultural heritage; being a form of love, the bible says, ‘‘It is associated with a tree which has deep roots.’’ You feel at home; you feel comfortable and at ease in the place you are in.