Home is where the heart is

Growing up we used to have a piece of artwork in our hallway that was blue and white and appeared to be rug hooked. It said, “Home is where the heart is”. As a child, I never understood the significance of this picture. The image has stuck with me my whole life. I have always looked to find that same artwork piece to hang in my house. The search continues.

I was blessed to have spent 17 years growing up in my childhood home. I had the best neighbours around. I grew up in a small town on a safe little street.  My family and friends surrounded me. I was heartbroken to leave that house and the memories that had been made. I was thankful to have a childhood in which we were not moving around. Even though we moved the next place still felt like home because my loved ones were near.

My childhood home has sold several times over the twenty-plus years since our family moved. The last time it was for sale I took the online for sale tour with my brother and our mom. We sat in awe trying to figure out which room was which. We chatted about the decor, the colours and the changes. We laughed and shared many memories of the good old days when it was our home. The home now, while the outside looks the same, the inside is nothing as I remember as a child, but I can see the love and adjustments people have made over the years. The listing price is much higher than when my mom sold. I love that this home probably holds memories for many. This house will always make me smile and remember my Opa who helped build the home from an old school house into our home. I am thankful for the childhood memories I had in that home, and I am trying to create that same home feeling for my son in his childhood home. I may have come from what was referred to as a “broken home” and I may have carried that curse over to my son but like my mom did you make it the best you can. You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only option. I know my strength. I am strong!

I moved to my current home a little over eight years ago. I never would have dreamed I would own a home alone as a single mother. I know my strength. I knew my people would help me.  I think of all the changes our home has gone through and how blessed we are to share this life in this house. I am beyond grateful that our home is where our hearts are and that my son loves where we live as much as I do. I moved to another small town, and family surrounds me and my best friend who is currently only a couple streets over and soon to make me an auntie!! Bring on the baby snuggles.

As a child, I used to draw the house of my dreams and it wasn’t a giant mansion, it was a simple two-story house with windows and a door placed a certain way. It was managable and had a view. When I think of those drawings, I realize I drew this house we live in. I have the water view I always dreamed of.  I guess it is true that you should be careful what you put out to the universe.

I am so thankful to have changed the way I look at life and embraced all the good in my life. I am grateful that many years ago a family friend mentioned how Louise Hay changed her life, and her work changed everything about the way I was living. I have a grateful heart and appreciate so many people helping me to where I am today. I love my life. I can make choices that keep moving my life ahead. I am so excited to embrace what comes next. I put out to the universe what I wanted, and it has delivered.

Home is where the heart is… for me has come to mean that it is more about the people who make you feel like home to be around and less about the walls that surround you. I am thankful for my house, but I am most thankful for my people. It is less about what you have and more about who you have. I am so loved and so thankful to be back writing and for all the loving people who reached out and chatted with me this last week. My heart is so full!

Home is where my heart is and the people who make me feel like home in your heart.

I am going to update and create a sign saying that for our house and hope that my son sees the meaning and carries it with him for a lifetime ❤️

Where is it that you feel most at home?