ROBERT FROST wrote, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to let you in.” Whether or not that was true of the home we grew up in, we all need a place where it’s safe to be ourselves.
We all have our own peculiarities and we’re all a little weird at times. That’s why we need a place to drop our guard without feeling afraid of being ostracized for being as crazy as we naturally are. A nurturing family is one where members recognize each other’s frailties and accept them, even though they can be a bother.
For those not lucky enough to be born into this kind of family, authors Pamela Ryan and Doris Jasinek suggest focusing on those around you who are willing to be part of a mutually caring support group. They propose that, whether related or not, “A family is a circle of people who love you.”
It’s never too late to build a home of your own.