"Sense of Place" Reflective Response

Home. Sense of place.

The idea of that, though it may sound simple, is far from it. The reality is, I’m more uncertain about what my sense of place is. Is it a person or someone I love, or a place where I go to sleep at the end of the day. Is it supposed to provide me with a sense of peace, belongingness, or something else that couldn’t be put into words? What makes a sense of place, a sense of place?

I can’t help but feel overwhelmed when I think about my personal sense of place. And as I think of all the times I’ve moved over the years and the plethora of places that I’ve lived, the image of my place enters my mind. Except, it isn’t a physical location one can visit.

Instead, a picture of a furry, scruffy puppy with a wet nose that loves to crawl up my chest and nuzzle her little face in my neck. My sense of place is with my little long haired chihuahua, Bellini. A four-legged 4 lb baby that got me through some incredibly tough, overwhelming, and trying times. She got me through the loss of many people who I’ve loved; she has gotten me through the broken relationships and friendships where I’ve questioned my own self-worth and whether I was physically able to make it through another day; but most importantly, she makes my life better. Bellini provides it with a renewed sense of purpose.

When it comes down to it, I guess I don’t really know where my physical sense of place is. I don’t think I actually have one because at the end of the day, I know nothing is ever set in stone and physical environments constantly change. It has changed. It has broken me and has become a part of my reality and life that I haven’t really ever been able to rely on. It hasn’t always been there and I can’t help but think it might not ever be. However, the love of a dog, the love of my dog, is exactly what I wish the physical sense of place could be.

Love. Happiness. Peace. Home. Something to come home to.

(Busy Bee Photography. 2021) (Photography By Jen. 2021) (Busy Bee Photography. 2021)