dan woodlief

The world is my home. I was born in a small North Carolina town, and most of my family still lives there (as well as my wife's family). However, my philosophy on life differs so much from that of my hometown, and I rarely ever see any old friends anyway. I lived in Madison, WI for over 7 years and found it easy to see that as my home (I still consider it a second home). Still, I don't feel really tied to one place. Put me anywhere, let me visit my family when I want, give me a camera to take along, and I will be at home.

Caitlin

This is an interesting question. I grew up in Berkeley and Oakland, went to college nearby, lived in the area, and visit frequently. Most of my family and many close friends are there. I've lived in NYC for five years now, and plan to be here for a good while. In a lot of ways, this is home--when I say home, I mean here, and I don't refer to my visits to California as "going home." At the same time, in a very strong sense, California *is* "home." I certainly think of myself as a Californian, definitely not as a New Yorker, and I have always planned to end up back there at some point--not just California, but the East Bay. More than the people (and I love them all dearly), it's the place, the place that ultimately feels the most right.

George

I don't think of "home" as a physical place, but as a place where I felt loved , secure and happy. I wonder in our society today with the deterioration of the family unit, lack of respect for each other, lack of neighborliness, how many people really have those feelings?

Caitlin

George, the feeligns you mention are exactly why I feel my present home of NY to be home, as I describe above; I'm with the love of my life, and that makes it home. For the same reason, it's the place that draws me back to California--the people will hold the same place in my heart, wherever they are.

A.Adams

While C. McD's guess would fit the bill generically -- as would some guesses for California and NW lakes as well as upper midwest -- what if I add a very ancient railroad track just off one end of the lake?

lisa

I was born in Michigan and lived there for over two decades, then moved to North Carolina for several years, but neither of those was "home" to me (although I do still get a catch in my throat when I drive into the town of Ann Arbor, MI, where I went to school for 7 years). "Home" to me is Washington, DC, where I live now and have lived for 6 years. I knew the very first time I set foot here that it would be my home someday. I love the way the monuments look at night, people-watching in Dupont Circle, and standing on the Capitol steps looking down at the Mall full of people playing frisbee and walking with their families. It just fills my heart.