Families, they are a little much to handle at times. We don't get to choose them and we have to love them. Most of us tend to get annoyed when we spend a lot of time with our families, but once we spend time a part, we realize just how much we miss them.
Luckily, I was blessed with a large family that clearly wants what's best for me. Recently, I've noticed that I haven't given my family enough credit for raising me to be the strong individual that I am today. I finally sat down and took the time to think about the numerous reasons that I am immensely thankful for my large support system. If your family can relate to any of these, consider yourself lucky, because not everyone was born with this amazing blessing that we tend to take for granted.
I want to thank my family for...
Sharing all of my accomplishments no matter how small they may be.
I used to be embarrassed by the constant emails and texts that my family would send about the tiny little accomplishments in my life. Honestly, if I made a cake, they would feel the need to share it with everyone. As I've grown up, I've realized that my family does this for a reason. I finally understand that they mainly wanted to remind me that even the small victories matter. My family makes sure that I am proud of who I am and where I come from. Just know that it's okay to brag for them to brag about you sometimes.
Giving me a hard time about everything.
You can't be a sensitive child in my family. This makes them sound like awful people, but I promise they aren't. I'm thankful that they gave me a hard time for the simple little things. I've learned the importance of constructive criticism through them and I now know that there's no need to be defensive in these situations. They have raised me to be emotionally strong and they have mainly taught me to stand up for who I am and what I believe in. I also may have developed a sarcasm problem because of them..
Teaching me that distance doesn't always have to change a relationship.
No matter how far away my family is, I always know they are there for me. Constant communication has allowed us to feel like we are only a short drive away, even if it's equivalent to a four hour plane ride. Because of their love, I know that I can live across the country and it won't change my relationship with them. We all have to learn at some point that not everyone can be close by, but that doesn't mean you don't love each other unconditionally.
Teaching me that dessert is the most important meal of the day.
Why do we even try to fight the urge to eat dessert? That only makes us want it more. Ice cream is its own food group in my family. They have taught me to love the one part of the day that people spend their lives trying to hate. More importantly, this has taught me to not be self-conscious about what I eat. If I want to eat seven donuts in one night, I know my family will be there to cheer me on.
Taking pictures of me even when I look "awful."
I can't tell you how many times we have threatened to take the camera away from my grandma. We all just need to accept that the best pictures are the unplanned ones. Pictures are what hold family memories. Thanks to my grandma, some day I will have pictures to show my own kids, even if I do look "awful" in them. Stop being self-conscious and let your family take embarrassing photos of you, and one day I promise you will be thankful for them.
Teaching me to be loud and obnoxious.
Because of my family, I am never ashamed of being the loud one of the group. As a shy child with a soft voice, my family had to work hard to break me out of my shell. Now, I am an extremely extroverted individual with a loud personality. Well, I still have a soft voice but I can't do anything to fix that problem. My outgoing personality has enabled me to hold numerous leadership positions and gain incredible life experiences.
Forcing me to make my own decisions.
I used to resent my family for forcing me to make my own decisions. Sometimes I just wanted them to make the final decision for me, but they never would. Now that I live on my own, I can say that making my own decisions is the most important skill that my family has provided me with. They want me to make the decisions that will ultimately make me the happiest. Their continuous support has taught me to be independent and more importantly, self-assured.
Finally, thank you for being my cheerleaders, my best friends and for being the best role models in my life.
