HOME! Home is where the heart is, or so they say. What is the definition of home? According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, home is defined as one’s place of residence; a familiar or usual setting; congenial environment. That is exactly what my childhood home was. A place of residence. A place where I lived. So where did the expression “Home is where the heart is” come from and what does it mean? No one knows other than it came from a satirical poem Don Juan (originally published, in 1819). It means your home will always be the place for which you feel the deepest affection, no matter where you are. But that is not true for me. My childhood house was not a home for me. This house holds lots of pain and trauma for me. I lived most of my childhood in this house. In this house, I experienced loss, neglect, abuse, and shame, and witnessed fights, abuse, and hatred. My heart was shattered in this house. I had to learn to search for my home. And now I make a home where ever I go and whoever welcomes me. I have lots of homes and for that I am grateful. So now I truly believe “Home is where the heart is”. As my heart is in a lot of different places.
Darcy, I had saved up all of your posts to read later and just finished “Home is Where the Heart is”. I don’t think I ever knew your adoption story with regard to your adoptive parents, but I am so sorry. I’m so glad I was able to meet you at Korean camp and then travel with you as you journeyed to Korea. You are, and always have been, loved. By so many. 💖
I had the same experiences in my childhood home. HUG! It is heartbreaking.