A home is more than just plain bricks and mortar. You can find a house anywhere, but to find somewhere that you can call your 'home' is to find a place that becomes a representation of yourself. A place that as soon as you enter, feelings of relaxation and comfort flow freely.

A place that both describes and presents individuality and tastes. To be somewhere that you feel drawn to, to reside under a roof that submits the feelings of belonging. Some people simply have a place to sleep and shelter, though in their own heart it does not feel complete and merely a place of existence and address.

Being raised in the rural countryside I cannot ever contemplate, through choice, moving to an area where the buildings outnumber the green open spaces. I know that opinions vary, and to some people their own ideals is to be surrounded by mainstream architecture and facilities, but for my personal self, I need to be able to see upon open land.

Being able en-capture a wide open space, to see vegetation and green pastures is, for me, to feel free. Whilst I am presently unable to reside in my 'perfect' house, I remain contented because of a combination of the type of accommodation and the area it surrounds.

A simple walk will lead me to open countryside and to smell the earthen air. I feel comfortable and when I am away I can feel relaxed knowing where I will return too. I have been somewhat 'forced' to live in a large residential area within a town, and my memories have formed to suggest that those years were merely a house, and not a home.

I now live on the edge of a small town. One direction leads to the daily needs of food and shopping, the other to my dreams and freedom. I can now call this my home, and if I could I would choose to remain, at least until my personal finance permits me to search for my idealistic version of a history laden country retreat.

But for now I have a home, more heartfelt than its simple building. It is and does resemble me, combined with my own personal effects. I have lived through both, but in the future I can at least look back upon these times and say to myself that was my home.

Learn more about this author, James Mockridge..
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