What is Home?

Home Sketch

  What is home? I am sure the answer to that question is as varied as the people on the earth. Many things play a part in what one thinks of when they hear the word "home".

  For me , the answer to that question has changed drastically in the past year. My growing-up years were essentially spent in one small town house. It was a home filled with family, and music, as both of my parents were music teachers. I can remember my Mother sitting down at the piano to play Claude Debussy's "Clair de Lune" before dinner, it was a favorite of hers. She also taught piano lessons, and my Dad loved all classical and jazz music, so the stereo was most often playing something.

 

My Mother's Piano

 



Then I got married. We moved a few times, but finally settled in a small town. We raised our two children in this home. I lovingly took care of the 1906 farmhouse that we bought through farm auction. It was originally built by my husband's great-grandfather as a wedding gift for his bride. I was proud to take care of this beautiful home, as I painted, sanded floors, redesigned and updated her. I am still proud of how much love I put into that place to make it a home.

1906 Farmhouse

 Exactly a year ago today, my husband asked me for a divorce. I moved away from his family home to create a home just for me. This is something I had never done before. What I have discovered in this process, is that home is not a certain place, it can be anywhere. I now live in a 500 square foot studio apartment. It is my home. Home for me only needs a few things; at least one comfortable chair to read in, an outdoor chair to drink a cup of tea, a few flowers in a pot or vase, and of course, it must have music to fill my soul.

 My Patio Space