Tuesday, April 7, 2009

What is Home?

I just moved back to my house after a fire. After a year and a half living in cramped quarters, I looked forward to getting back into the house. What I wasn't prepared for was the feeling that everything was still unsettled. My new and improved house wasn't the house that I came from. When someone moves, it is rare that they end up back in the same house again.
As people hear that we are finally back into our house, most ask, "Isn't it great to be back in?"

My response, of course, is to politely smile, and say what they expect me to say, "Why, yes it is!"

Actually, that is far from the truth. After two weeks back in the house, it still doesn't feel like home. I don't sleep well. Nothing seems quite comfortable.

As I work with customers who are in the process of moving, I now understand the complex emotional issues that they go through. When the last box is unpacked, the process of moving still is not over.

It makes me think about what is exactly "home". Is it physical? Is it emotional? Share your thoughts.