Elizabeth Woolford

39A

19996543

The Sounds of Home

My home has always been where my family is like Didion writes in her essay "on going home." Although I on the other hand, unlike Didion, still live at home. I live and grew up  in Whittier California, which is most commonly known for being the city where former President Richard Nixon grew up. In particular my house is across the street from the elementary school and middle school I attended, and has been the center of my life since I was born. I would describe my home as a place with constant noise and non-stop talking, as there’s hardly ever a moment when the tv isn't on or someone isn't saying something. These constant conversations is what I feel makes a home and it personalizes my  home to my family. Of course there are moments when the talking turns to yelling and doors are slammed, but it adds to the character of the house.

One memory I can distinctly  remember from growing up is my mom constantly rearranging the furniture. The first thing I'd notice when I came home was that everything would be in a new position. Sometimes I’d even hear the screeching of the furniture as it was pushed to a different area in the room. At the time I thought that my mom did it because she didn't like how everything looked, but now as I've gotten older I've realized it's her coping mechanism. Whenever the rearrangements would begin, the talking in the house would decrease and sometimes the sound of crying could be heard. Although, sometimes there wasn’t a rhyme or a reason to the sudden change.

The distinct barks of our dogs was another constant at our house. In particular our dog jack was the leader of the barking. As a puppy, whenever  happy birthday was sang he immediately knew it was his cue to bark along to the lyrics. Every birthday we celebrated thereafter was at home with our dogs howling and barking along to the song. Another sound jack would make was the barking and stomping noises he would make when he wanted to come up on the bed or couch to cuddle or lay across half of the bed like he always did. As the dogs became older and jack passed away the barking decreased, but the click clacking sound of our other dog’s nails still remained.

Additionally, music flows throughout our home. As the daughter of two musicians, my siblings and I have all been initiated into the world of music at young ages. Throughout my life I can remember the numerous times we held band practice at our house and listening to my Mom’s voice and Dad’s guitar echo songs from bands and singers like Fleetwood Mac and Katy Perry.  Similarly, sometimes my little brother, Ethan, can be heard loudly singing songs along with his phone while showering. Meanwhile, his voice rings through the house as if he’s performing in concert.