In celebration of the holiday of Sukkot Jews build deliberately flimsy little buildings to spend time in. In a sukkah you should be able to see the stars through your roof—outside and inside come together to create a different sense of what it means to be at home.
Where, other than where you live, have you created space where you feel at home?
When I was in college, I had a double major, and both of those departments were in the same building. I made friends with the secretaries. When I commuted for a term I got to put my lunch in the faculty fridge, and I napped on the office couch.
It was sort of like the “three decker” houses which are common in Worcester, (where I live now and attended college) three-story multifamily homes in which extended families would live, grand parents on the bottom, auntie and uncle and cousins on another level, etc.
The secretaries were very kind to me, and I often had good talks with them. I’m still friends with two of them. Having all my professors and people with my major in the same place also made it feel like I was surrounded by a large extended family.
Hi Maggie. it is fun and interesting to read your comments. I, when I lived in New Jersey for a year, I rented the top third of one of these houses. On the second floor was the son and wife’s abode with a crying baby (ugh!) but on the ground floor was the Italian couple who provided me with my car, warmed up each winter morning by the husband, and a meal of spaghetti and meat balls each Sunday. Although I wasn’t used to this type of group living, I enjoyed the entertainment and friendly help from the nice couple!
I am one who doesn’t feel “at home” completely. I seem to believe that home is where I am. However, in trying to define the “at home feeling”, I choose, within my home, my bedroom, where, when I lie down in my bed, I feel safe, comfortable and thankful that I have a spot to have as my own.