Family is a gift. They are there for every milestone in life, celebrating your greatest achievements at every turn, and reminding us to persevere when we are unable to achieve our goals. Their love is unconditional, providing us with a sense of affirmation in knowing that they will always be there to support us. They are there for our best and worst days, and are an outlet to turn to when the stressors of everyday life take over. As every family reaches their own individual peaks and valleys, the notion of remaining unified is key. Ultimately, as we face trials and tribulations in our own daily lives, family is the foundation that holds us together.

I am blessed to say that my own family has had a great influence on my upbringing. My grandparents are extremely family-oriented, making a continuous effort to remain involved in each members’ life. This has created a lasting bond throughout my family, both immediate and extended. Whether it is positive, negative, or something that may seem significant through my eyes only, they are the first people I call when I have news to share. When I am feeling anxious or overwhelmed, I choose to surround myself with family in order to ease my mind. The older I grow, the more I recognize the appreciation and the value I have for my loved ones and the time we spend together. Life is swift, hasty, and rather fleeting. As the days we transition through remain in constant motion, it is imperative to remember that family is constant. No matter what we are faced with or where our lives take us, our family travels with us, be it physically or simply in our hearts.

As my transition to college begins this week, I have come to realize that these moments are about to change. College is an extremely busy time for students, and I understand that, due to this factor, I will not have as much time as I once did to spend with my family. I am entering into the next chapter of my life with the knowledge that I obtain the power to write it in the way that I want, while keeping my family ever present on these pages. Though times will be different, I acknowledge the fact that I will never forget where I came from, and the people that have been with me through it all. My love for my family is something words simply cannot express. Their support, both financial and emotional, have allowed me to strive beyond limitations that, at times, I never thought possible. I thank them for all they have done for me-for their uplifting words, for their warm gestures, for their endless love. My parents, in particular, have had a tremendous impact in shaping me into the person that I am today. I extend the most gratitude to them in hopes of continuing to make them proud in all that I do. The values my family has instilled in me remain strong, and I plan to utilize them in the best of ways as I continue to navigate through life.