The Door Hinge to the Future

What does the word "home" mean to you? The word simply means where one dwells-a fixed residence. However, it is a word that is used extensively throughout our society in various aspects. In sports, for example, we hear "home plate, "home base," "home run," home court," and homestretch." "Home" describes our place or orgin: hometown, home state, home country. And everyday, homemakers cook home cooked meals with homegrown vegetables while tiieir children do homework , waiting for Dad to come home to the old homestead. cords consist of family, sentiment, and most importantly, love. There is no place on earth where one is more loved and more needed than at home! Dorothy in die Wizard of Oz expressed it best when she said, "There's no place like home . . . there's no place like home." But what happens when we grow up; diere's no home left? When our parents are gone? When our brothers and sisters have married or moved away? When our homeplace is not the same, we search for diat feeling. What we do now is the door hinge to the future. Does the door open or close? The Door Hinge ? ? ? ? ? ? to the Future by Amy Garza In reality, the word home is just a word-until you add the feeling. Then, home becomes the place where everything begins! Home. It means mother, father, sister, brother, hugs, kisses, and the smell of good food. It means a light in the window seen far down the road. And we aU have memories we cherish of home. Memories of pülow fights, Ustening to the Lone Ranger, catching fireflies at dusky dark, making ice milk from new fallen snow, playing hide and seek until dark, and all the kinfolk who came on the holidays. Home is a musical, magical place played on the strings of the heart. The For this is the time in our lives when suddenly we discover the other end of die seesaw of life is thrust upon us. As children we were takers of the fruits of home-now we must become the givers. It is our turn to provide that all important atmosphere; the place where everyone who loves us can come to sup the sweet flavor of togetherness. Releasing die splendor of the love of home and family within us can light up the future, and oil aU door hinges. We can provide a home to the homeless in our very own families. We must put Welcome on our door, and swing it wide! Home. The place where everything begins. 78 ...