When I wrote my first article for Odyssey back in May, I talked about what the word family meant to me, and how your family is so much more than just the people you share a bloodline with. With family weekend coming to an end here at Illinois State, I was reminded of just how strong my love for my family is, both the ones that I’m related to and the ones that I’m not.
Having my parents and sister visit reminded me of just how much they have supported me in my journey to where I want to be. Though moving to a new place, making new friends, changing my major, and learning how to provide for myself, my family has been my support system 110% of the time. They’re the people I know I can always count on to be there for me when I’m having a quarter-life crisis (which happens more than it probably should), when I’ve succeeded in something that I thought I couldn’t, or when I just want to talk about how my day went and all the new things in my life they haven’t been around to see. Having such a strong support system in my family makes me realize just how lucky I am, as I know so many people who don’t have that support, and my heart aches for them. Without my family, I wouldn’t be where I am today, I wouldn’t be who I am today, and I wouldn’t be happy, healthy, and living my life to the fullest.
But it isn't just my parents I have to thank for the constant support, it’s all my other family as well. It’s all my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins who are constantly texting to check in and ask how I am and tell me how proud they are of me and all of my accomplishments. Having my godmother down at Illinois State this past weekend was such as blessing, as being able to show her the life I have built for myself, with her help, was proof that you cannot truly succeed without the help of your family. Without those family ties, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am today, and wouldn’t have as much knowledge from so many different people to help me make it through any situation I am faced with.
Lastly, I can’t forget about the family that may not be blood-related but is family nonetheless. It’s my roommate, my best friends, and my favorite teachers and coaches that have helped shape me into the person I am today, and help me make it through all the situations I’m faced with. To be honest, if it wasn’t for my roommate, I would have fallen apart months ago, because her love and support for me always keeps me going. When I fall, her and my best friends are always there to pick me up, dry my tears, and tell me that everything is ok. Having best friends to talk to about everything and everything only makes me realize even more how much we truly do support each other, and how tight those “family ties” between us really are.
So to all my family, those who I’ve known forever, are blood-related to or are just so special in my heart that they earn the title of family, thank you. Thank you for your constant support and love throughout my entire life. I wouldn’t be here today without you, and without you, today and every day wouldn’t be as beautiful.
