A home is not a house.
These two words are often misused or misunderstood.
They are not interchangeable.
Different words. Different meanings.
House. A location.
You live in it. You sleep. You eat. You clean. You bathe.
Home. A place.
You live in it. You cry. You laugh. You smile. You frown.
You could have two houses, three, four, as much as you would like. But you could only treat one of those a home.
I almost did not post this. I want/need to let it out.
It's only now that I appreciated the words my teacher told me. I remember when I was in 3rd grade, my GMRC (values) teacher told us that these two words are very different and we should not confuse ourselves. A house is where you live but a home is where you live with the ones you love.
I have been living in this house (more like a compound) for sixteen years (when I was one, our house was burned down).
There are three floors. First floor is for our store. Go and walk some more, you'll see the kitchens and then my grandparents' house. Second floor is where I do my routines. For years, Millendez lives to the right while Cruz lives to the left. But the latter moves so Miclat replaces. They move again, Millendez finally goes left. On the third floor, you'd see an open rooftop. You walk towards the edge, look down and you'll see cars passing by. When I was a kid, I go here sometimes at night and see the stars clearly scattered on the night sky.
In elementary, I remember playing with my cousins in this big compound. We would laugh and scream. We would run around and explore. We would cry when hurt. I walk in through the door and my cousins would readily pull me to play. So much memories. My childhood was colorful. It was never dull. Sometimes, I'll play. Other times, I'll stay in our house and watch movies.
My cousins and I grow older as much as we grew apart. I only have this compound to remember the memories we shared.
Let go. Let go.
I'd point to the computer room (or my grandfather's study) and I'd remember going there to ask for money to buy candies or just bother my grandfather.
I'd point to the store and I'd remember helping there one whole summer and having my first salary (as a kid) as a reward.
I'd point to the kitchen where I used to play with dough and form shapes of dogs that look like shit. Or where I used to help by painting the pies with egg yolk.
I'd point to the other kitchen and I'd pull my cousins to come and play tag or draw then color our drawings.
I'd point to the rooftop where I first kicked a soccer ball and pass the ball. It is where I leaned how to ride a bike. It is where I first saw the beauty of the stars and the hills from afar.
I'd point to the garage and I'll tell you the first time I got disappointed because I couldn't cartwheel. It is also where we held one of my birthdays or my cousin's, I couldn't remember. I just remember the cute sticker earrings I got from that party.
"We want a clubhouse."
And our grandfather grants us that wish by placing it on our favorite play room, the rooftop.
I could walk around with eyes closed and I would still know where I am.
This is the place where I first got a wound. Where I first learned how to paint. Where I first drew a mermaid which my friends all loved. Where I first learned how to write. Where I first knew that the mole on my right pinky finger is not dirt. Where I first knew I love numbers. Where I first owned a Barbie. Where I first ate dirty ice cream. Where I first learned how to cook and bake. Where I first learned how to use the internet.
I could go on and on and never stop. All my life this is where I live. I always thought I'd only part with it when I graduate college and work. Once or twice, it even came across my mind that I'd grow old here.
I could not imagine not seeing these places anymore. I never thought I would pack my things and then unpack my things to an unknown place. To somewhere I'd adjust and (hopefully) call my home.
To me, a house and a home are not different.
No matter what I learned, my heart tells me..
A house is a home.
Because I grew up knowing that...
My house is my home.