A HOUSE VS A HOME

What is a house? What is a home? There's a big difference,
let me tell you!

A house is just a wooden structure put together by nails and wood. Who really cares about nails and wood. Not me, but if I did not have a house like alot of families I probably would, especially when that house becomes a home!

A home is a place where you feel warm and cozy. You have things around you that are special and have meaning, but most of all you are surrounded by people you love and who love you. A family makes a house a home by living in it and making it special.

There are many, too many, families in the world without a home, they don't even have a house to live in. Many years ago a program called" Habitat for Humanity" was started to help these families. They build houses all over the world for deserving, needy families. The family along with dozens of volunteers get together for a few days and build a house. When the family moves in they make it a home. I know what you are thinking" Wow, world wide", but yes it is even happening here literally right in our back yards. On my street a habitat house is being built right now. In Mount Pearl this past summer a lucky family got to build their new home. It is hard to believe until one day you see an empty lot and just a few days later a house, soon too be a home is in it's place. It is mind boggling. I can't wait to see the family that moves in up the street and I hope they are happy now that they have a home.

I helped build a school and a house, well my school did, in Guatemala My school principal was involved with a church group going to Guatemala to build houses for the people there. Our school jumped on board to raise money to help, we even sponserd a foster child. One student even brought in all his savings in his jar. He felt very proud when he did because he knew the good it would do for someone less fortunate than him. I am sure the people in Guatemala have made those houses into their homes.

Now I would like to tell you about my home. I am very lucky to be surrounded by my family who loves me very much. I have my Mom, Dad, brother, two dogs, a cat, my brothers lizard and my special pet hamster, Peanut. My house is filled with spacial things like pictures and things that mean something to all of us. My Mom proudly displays our artwork and presents we give her. Everywhere I look I see love and happiness. I have my own bedroom that I have made into my own special home within my home. I have lots of stuff in my room from when I was a baby and all the years up till now. I sometimes lie on my bed and look at the things around me and think how lucky I am. There is another home inside my room. It's Peanuts home. Her house is actually a wire cage, but have made it her home by putting in special toys, a wooden log, and a hut where she sleeps. She is one lucky hamster!

You see after all this you can now understand that a house is just a house until a family makes it a HOME.

THE END