Hello! My name is Brick, and I am not just any house- I am the house that the Jains have called home since 1975.
With my sturdy walls painted in a variety of cheerful shades, and my windows sparkling in the afternoon sun, I proudly stand on the 10th street in the city of Brambleton. My roof has kept three generations dry and safe during the wildest of storms, and my rooms echo with footsteps and the gentle vibe of everyday life. Some say I am wood, stone, or glass, but I know I am much more than that: I am the keeper of memories.
The Inception
I was born from the dreams of Mrs and Mr Parav Jain in the year 1975. My foundation was poured on a quiet morning in the April of 1974. I remember the excitement as workers hammered, sawed, and painted, turning blueprints into reality. My very first scent was that of fresh paint and sawdust. When the last nail was driven, I stood tall and new, waiting for Mr Parav and his family to fill my empty rooms with life.
1975 was the time when the USA was welcoming people from around the world and Mr Parav had moved in with his wife and two little kids to this foreign land in Virginia. They didn’t bring much—just books, some furniture, a radio, and a plant for the windowsill. At first, the rooms were quiet, but soon they started to feel more alive. Lights clicked on and off. Boots thudded across the floor. Music played softly in the background and the two young minds started growing in my secure limits. What echoed from my inner being was not noise, but life.
The Expansion
Some days were calm—just tea and reading. Other days were busier—lots of walking, typing, cleaning. Seasons came and went. Rain tapped on my roof. Snow piled high by the door. Sunshine poured through my windows. Through it all, I stayed strong and steady. My portals were made bigger, I was given another floor and for the next 7 years my walls and corridors echoed with a lot of activities.
It was during this time that I was once again enlivened by the presence of 2 small twins whose presence I could feel everywhere. They could run after each other the whole day and they kept everyone busy. The happiness came along with a few drops of sorrow as Mrs and Mr Parav Jain passed away in 2010. That was the first parting- my architects and mentors had traveled to another world- leaving me behind.
The Present
Now, I’ve been lived in for many years. My paint has faded in places. My floorboards creak here and there. But those are signs of life, not wearing out. I’ve seen quiet days and hard days, mornings full of hope, and nights full of thought.
I may look like a regular house from the outside. But inside, I am HOME- I hold memories, routines, and pieces of life- still being lived.
Writer : Aanya Jain
Grade : 6 (Year 2025)
Place : Virginia, USA
