Celebrating My Ideal Home: Community
Linda Tolliver Detiege
BEFORE YOU READ:
1. Based on the title, what do you think this article will be about?
2. Look for the words and phrases in bold italics. If you’re not sure what they mean, use context clues to figure it out.
Linda Tolliver Detiege
A Place Full of Love
In my ideal home, my front door feels like a beacon of hope. My home is a community house where love pours in through the walls. Everyone knows that when they cross the threshold, they will be in a safe place full of love.
A Place for Giving and Receiving
Mine is a home of individuals that radically receive and give love. We emphasize education and being mindful. We tell stories to reclaim what was taught to us by our grandparents and parents.
In my vision, family and friends share food around the dining table. My father is teaching my son how to plow the dirt and how to make the garden grow. My husband is telling stories about fishing and hunting.
This Is my Vision
In my vision, I am a steward of people’s stories. They come through my front door, and they bring their stories. We become part of each other’s inner world. We educate ourselves and learn about values. We learn what our purpose is. This is what my ideal home would be.
AFTER YOU READ:
1. Review the words and phrases in bold italics. What do they mean?
2. What is most important to Linda about her home? Be specific.
3. What is the connection between your home and
community?
Linda Tolliver Detiege is a student at Delgado Adult Education in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is 67 years old and is retired. She is a graduate of John Ehret High School, class of 1977, and has some college experience. She is enrolled at Delgado for two reasons: to enhance her education and to help encourage her class to never give up.