Home. It's the one place you can go where you know you will be safe, loved, and cared for. It's a haven, a shelter, somewhere to find peace. My home is wherever my family happens to be. I live in a typical suburbia townhome with my mother and two younger sisters. My mom is probably one of the strongest women I know. She suffered emotional abuse from my dad for 17 years, but finally managed to get away with me and my sisters during my freshmen year of highschool. It was a struggle at first, but Mom got us through, and my family has come out stronger for it. My 12 year old sister is tough, and real. She doesn't take crap from anybody and I really respect her for it. My 8 year old sister is a little spitfire. She is crazy, but I love her.
I learned recently that a house cannot always be a home. My house was broken into, while I was there alone recently. The guy came in, but my great dane scared him off. Even though no harm was done I was shaken by the experience. I didn't feel safe in my own house unless my mom or my sisters were there.
My family gives me rest, and peace. If I have had a difficult day at school I can come home and talk to my sister about it. My mom always has the best advice, and my youngest sister is always doing something that makes me laugh.
I know how blessed I am to have a family like this, and that there are some out there who are not so lucky. To those who don't have people that give them a true home, I have encouragement. There is hope out there. There are good people in this world, people who will love and care for you. You just have to look.
Someone once said, "Home is where the heart is." I find this to be a very true statement.
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