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"Home" is one of those words that has several definitions and even more connotations. For each person, home is something personal and meaningful. Before I started writing this article, I decided to look up the dictionary definition for the word.

From dictionary.com, the definition of "home":

1. a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household

2. the place in which one's domestic affections are centered.

3. an institution for the homeless, sick, etc.: a nursing home.

4. the dwelling place or retreat of an animal.

5. the place or region where something is native or most common.

6. any place of residence or refuge: a heavenly home.

7. a person's native place or own country.

8. (in games) the destination or goal.

9. a principal base of operations or activities: The new stadium will be the home of the local football team.

10. Lacrosse. one of three attack positions nearest the opposing goal.

11. Baseball. Home plate.

Leaving aside the sports definitions, for me several of the definitions fit my idea of home. I often think of my house as my home. I have lived in my house for over 15 years and the thought of moving is not one that I relish. However, I don't think that it is the actual building itself that makes it feel like home.

And that is the crux of the word "home." Home has a a feeling. So looking back at the definitions, most of what I feel about my home can be described as definition #6-"any place of residence or refuge"-refuge being the dominant feeling. My house is also my refuge. Here I can be myself to the nth degree without feeling that I have to dress up, or be my most diplomatic self. I can relax into my most inner self, and take refuge in knowing that at home I can be comfortable in my own skin without judgement.

In my home, I surround myself with things and people that I love. My family, husband, and two daughters, my clutter, my artwork. I can immerse myself in what I love, and spend time just relaxing or reading or working on projects. I often start a project, then another, and don't necessarily return to the first one for awhile, but that is part of who I am and how I do things. In my own home, I can be comfortable with that.

My home also means my bedroom and my bed. I like to cuddle in my very comfortable bed. It is filled with comfort including wonderful blankets, pillows, and comforters that surround me with cushy comfort. That is my final refuge inside my home. At home, I can get in my bed, read a good book, or just take a nap. I have to admit napping is one of life's pleasures to me.

My home is the place where I can be alone, yet still communicate with the world if I want to via the internet, or texting. Living in a modern age of communication allows you to be alone and not alone at the same time. It is nice to be able to communicate at your pace via email or twitter, and not have to answer the phone when you are not in the mood.

I can be moody in my home, and my family will still accept and love me. Because my moods are part of me, and sometimes I like to indulge myself. I can make mistakes and be secure in the fact that I will be accepted for who I am and not what I do.

If you think about it, all the other definitions of the word "home" on the list above, are just approximations of the refuge definition. They are wannabe definitions. When we are homesick, it is because we are missing the feelings of home, the comfort, and the refuge.

Learn more about this author, Paula Atwell.
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