It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, but no matter what we as people go through, family is always constant.

Family is those late night texts to remind you that you're doing amazing at school and going into the next steps of your life. It is also reminding you that it is okay to make mistakes and fail. However, picking yourself up is the most important part.

I often forget to step back and say thank you to some of the most important people in my life: my family.

I forget to say thank you to my dad for listening to me and supporting my next move in my schooling. He also supports me more than I often realize or care to admit. He is very understanding of my life dreams and career goals which I don't say thank you for enough. I forget to tell my mom thank you for listening to me complain about the same two guys in about ten different ways. She always reminds me that I am worthy of love beyond measure.

I, however, find myself disregarding it due to self-doubt, and issues I've had in the past. Listening and remembering what she says is something I have been working on and let me tell you, IT IS HELPING. I forget to tell my younger brother for being so patient with me when I need to vent to him about something. He always gives me clear-cut advice and is more protective of his family then he often lets on. Also, I forget what an impact my older brother has had on me throughout my entire life. He and I are only a year apart in age. "Almost" Irish twins, if you will.

He would always go out of his way to make me laugh when I would cry when I was a little girl, always gave me sound advice to and from high school each day, and would occasionally buy me after school food when I begged him.

It seems that we often take the importance of family for granted. They are there to support us in the best of times and the worst of times truly. However, reminding them we love them is so crucial. The worst thing you can do to someone is letting them feel like they are unappreciated or unloved. It can often create an immense amount of guilt and leave a lot of resentment towards one another.

My one resolution I am going to carry through the rest of 2018 is reminding each member of my family how much I love them more. Once I've done that, I'll feel more accomplished for the entirety of this year.