This post is dedicated to my cousin sister and her family. I would like to congratulate them on moving into their new house six months ago. In writing this post I want to wish them best of luck on their future ventures as they continue to navigate through the roller coaster ride of life.

Before we define “Hearth” we have to understand the title of this post, which is “what makes hearth,” this warrants us to break the title down to its basic understanding of what makes a home. In my opinion home is where the people one cherishes are present by your side in the dark times and the good times. That is what defines “what makes hearth” in my opinion. Now you must be wondering what is the meaning of “hearth.” When I google searched images of hearth it showed that it is a fireplace, but how is a fireplace significant to the meaning of home? It is significant for this post because a fireplace warms our heart when we are surrounded by people that we hold closest to our hearts. For example a loving wife and a husband, or a son that loves his parents, or closest friends that have formed an everlasting relationship between each other. Whenever I came back from university, I would be excited to come to meet my mom or sister telling them how boring or interesting my day was. The fact I am able to share whatever experience I had at school makes me happy enough. Just like that a family is transformed into a home or a hearth for one’s heart, because it warms it regardless of how your day went.

On the flip side person can also feel lonely even though he/she is surrounded by his/her family. One may be confused why would they feel lonely, I guess the issue can be various from the environment he/she was raised in or the fact that one is living all alone in a house separated from his/her family members. It is important to understand that having a family is more than a commitment or a responsibility it is a form of harnessing life at its core and bending to your will just so the rest of the family members can lead a life of peace and prosperity. This means that the family member’s responsibility is to make sure that the environment that each produce within the home and the emotions that wells up within the hearth are positive and filled with happiness and excitement in living in each other’s lives.

However, there are so many conflicts that may threaten to break a family members apart from each other. It can be betrayal, estrangement, or to much conflict between a father and mother causing them to divide, hence breaking the familial bonds. These conflicts can results the kids to fall in-between causing them immeasurable despair and guilt that they may have caused the conflict. To avoid these kinds of conflicts family members have to understand to have an open mind to learn from each other and grow through guidance by each other. It is important that parents understand in the ever changing society that kids may grow up in has the potential to surpass their parent’s expectations and guidance. So in a way a home can transform into a place of learning and teamwork, but also can be a place used for counselling each other in a therapeutic manner, like sharing problems and challenges that may arise along the way if not dealt efficiently.

Cherish the people who make up your home, and you’ll notice the hearth fires burn brighter than ever before.

Thomas Kinkade

To conclude this post I want to leave off by stating that what makes a home are the people that understand you rather than judge you. So, I say, let the home transform to anything you want it to be from being a home to a school, or even a centre for sharing problems. Let the family be a fuel that keeps your hearth lit with hope, happiness and liberty to feel free rather than bound by conflicts that can hold you down.