It Feels Good To Be Home, But What About Those Who Don't Have a Home to Return To?

We’re home from the beach!

What is it that feels so good about coming home from a long trip (and a long car ride) and walking through your front door? Even if your house is messy? Even if it smells kind of funny after sitting still for a week? 

I ask myself this question every time we travel, no matter if we’ve been gone for a few days or longer. I think it all goes back to our overwhelming love for home; what it means, who it is, what it feels like. Right now, home feels like laundry on the couches, little dogs scurrying across the hardwood floors, kids laughing (and crying) in the background, PJ talking about one of the renovation projects he’s working on. Little things. Details that mean so much to me.

As good as it feels to be home, I can’t stop thinking of those in Ukraine who don’t have a home to go to. Who have been forced to flee from their belongings, their houses, their loved ones, in order to escape the ongoing war. I think about how there might be someone there who is maybe my age, my same height and build, who loves the same things as I do. Maybe they love home as much as my family does, too. I think about how there might not be such a difference between us, except geographically. I think about how badly they must be hurting, knowing they won’t be going home tonight, because maybe their home isn’t even there anymore and if it is, who knows when they’ll be able to return to it?

Keeping the people of Ukraine in my heart tonight, and may we all continue to advocate for them. Here is a list of 27 meaningful ways to help, (you can also purchase Airbnb’s), and as always, please consider donating whatever amount you can to USA for UNHCR, who are on the ground helping those who need it more than ever.