Food, Shelter and Rhododendrons

What makes a home? Cozy and comfortable are the two feelings that come to mind, but like love, home is one of those words that has a different meaning to everyone. It is both the world on the outside of the insulation as well as the world within. It is more than food, shelter and warmth. It is a feeling that is hard to leave and wonderful to return to. Home is protection from the elements and all the scary things in the world. It is family, friends, pets, laughter, celebrations, memories and shared meals.

Home to me is freshly brewed coffee, a glowing wood stove and the smell of baking bread. It is a place where meals can take hours to prepare and minutes to eat. Home is a Pitbull lying on his back in front of the fire, begging for his next bully rub. It is the morning sunshine burning through the dense Pacific Northwest mist and lighting up our Rhododendron like a Christmas tree. Home is my wife pouring red wine, churning through flour and nurturing yet another batch of sour dough starter. Home is home. And here is mine.