Humble Abode

Defining Characteristics of a Home

When asked to recall my childhood, few memories are more deeply ingrained than those in the homes where my family and I lived and played. The most treasured moments are all from within or near our house: playing with one of our first family dogs under the carport with my Dad, my brother and I riding on big plastic box lids down a long flight of stairs into a pile of bean bags, or my Mom cutting our hair in the basement. It may sound cliché, but I've only recently realized that a home is anywhere with fond memories of you and loved ones, regardless of the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, or its proximity to a beach or ski resort.A home is a place where you can freely and entirely be yourself, a sanctuary to laugh with friends and family, and a haven to peacefully pursue your passions. I imagine myself playing the piano while the soothing chords of Ludovico Einaudi resonate through the halls. I envision countless canvases being filled with art that I've yet to dream about. I picture a loving family nestled closely together on the couch, watching a Pixar movie. I can see board games being played, dinner being prepared, and countless memories being created. In our bedroom, the soundest sleep is had and the most loving love is made. Bedtime stories are whispered, and homework is reluctantly finished in the kids' room.The passing seasons can be reasons to decorate a home in a particular way; a fall color palette around Thanksgiving, a Christmas tree, lights, and stockings during the holidays, spooky items and pumpkins for Halloween, and many more. These decorations serve as reminders of the current season, and in decorating for any season at all, you acknowledge that seasons are, in fact, fleeting. Barring unforeseen events, you would unlikely leave your Christmas decorations out until spring or summer, as they would be out of place. Even someone who is homeless may regard certain places as their "home." A particular underpass or sheltered area might be where they return each night and somewhere they find solace in the bustling world.I encourage you to reflect on the many factors that make your house a home, or to seek out what you could change or build upon to transform your house into a true home.