The “H” Word

Elvis Presley sang about it. Tony Bennet left his in San Francisco. We talk about the ” ” of the matter, meaning the most important. Country Western singers couldn’t sing without mentioning it. Sometimes it’s broken with sadness or grief. Sometimes it “swells within our chests” with pride over the accomplishment of a child or grandchild. Quite literally, you can’t live without one.

Recently I thought about the old saying: “Home is where the heart is” and I came to a profound conclusion. I don’t have a home. I am without “a” home. But, I have more homes that the average multi-billionaire. If home is “a place of emotional connection,” I’ve got quite a few. Or, a “place of fond memories”: lots of those. Or, being near family or loved ones. A very long list! A man once said to Jesus: Lord, I will follow you wherever you go, to which Jesus replied (and I paraphrase): I don’t have a home. Foxes and birds have homes, but I don’t. Still want to come along? “Home is where the heart is.” He left a little piece of his heart in so many places: where the blind received sight, where life was restored, where he sat that day and held children in his lap. A little piece here; a little piece there. There are fragments of me, and you, scattered all over this world. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be. He did and we do, because we put our feet in his footsteps and follow his lead.

So, today risk it. Live fully. Love without limits. Leave a little piece of your heart wherever you go. And you will have many beautiful homes, because “home is where the heart is.” Even little pieces of it.