As the holiday season come to an end and family members travel back to their own homes, we realize how much we miss them. We remember the memories that we have created during the holiday season with friends and family. Once the mayhem of Christmas is over, the excitement of new gifts wears off, and the extended family has left, we realize how quiet the house is. It's an eerie feeling knowing all of your extended family has left and there won't be amounts of people piled up in the living room or the dining room. You don't hear your little cousins running around the house, making it impossible for your mom or aunt to cook in the kitchen. There's no one taking random pictures of you while you are eating or opening presents. The endless laughter, conversation, and cooking have left. You don't realize how much you miss hearing them and smelling delicious food.
It then hits how much you miss your family when you are about to leave for school. This happened to me when I was a freshman in college; I didn't realize how much I would miss my family, my grandparents, and my cousins. It occurred to me that some of my happiest memories have been with my family, especially during the holidays, whether it be the random videos of my grandfather that I take and my cousins taking hundreds of selfies on my phone, or the Mexican American meals we make for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. These are only a few of the memories I make each holiday season.
I'm usually the one out of my friend group who gets excited to go back home for break because I get to see my family. I'm excited to see my grandparents and cousins. I can't wait for the traditions we do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. My favorite tradition, that has been implemented recently, is my cousins and I dress in the same pajamas, but they are not Christmas related. Last year it was Eeyore onesies and this year they are nightgowns with "hipster llamas" on it. Another tradition is on Christmas Day when my cousins take all of the presents under the tree and hand them to each family member so everyone has a designated pile next to their feet. That tradition has been going on since I was about 10 or 12 years old. It's not an important tradition, but I always remember it.
Family is what matters most, whether that be with actual family or close friends who are practically family. It's during this time of year we should give thanks and appreciate them that they are in our lives. They impact us in ways even we don't realize. As I have gotten older, I try to be more involved with my family by cooking, cleaning, and simple conversation because I don't want to loose any memories that I could have created with them.
