College is a special time. It is an adventure that helps you develop and grow into the adult you have always wanted to become. You get to do things that you have never done before and discover who you are in the world. So many amazing things come with college like finding new friends and learning new things. College also brings on the world of adulthood. Your parents are no longer there to help you in times of trouble. It is hard and confusing to a lot of young college students but many have looked forward to this time. The time of being free.

Yes, I felt this way too. Whenever I was alone at home in high school I would pretend to be living by myself. It was fun and something that I had always dreamed of. When reality hit and I moved away from home for the first time I was sad but so excited. I wanted to live by myself and figure things out on my own. I was free of chores or the conflict that was caused by my behavior towards my family. I didn’t have to do the things I didn’t want to do. It was great and exciting but I missed my family.

I missed having them around me all the time and their constant support for me. It was something I took advantage of and when it wasn’t there it became an empty hole in my heart. I missed my sister’s jokes and my niece’s laughs. I missed my mom’s loving heart and my dad’s hugs. It was something that was so childish for being an “adult.” It was difficult to get use to and I struggled for some time.

My second year at school was better. I would find I missed them but I was able to push through. I made more friends and became involved in my running career more. I was always excited to see them but I always wanted to go back to school after my time with them was done.

This summer, I was always looking forward to going back to school. I would day dream about it and become so excited to be with my friends again. I took advantage of living at home and I did recognize how special that time really was. I wasn’t able to focus on the moment I was in and I looked forward to the future too much. My time with my family was something to be treasured but instead I looked at it like it was always going to be there, waiting for me to come back. I became annoyed by my family and wasn’t able to appreciate the time I got to spend with them.

Now that school is kicking in full gear, I feel kind of empty inside. I realized that the empty spot was reserved for my family. I miss my mom so much and wish we could hangout. I miss my sister and my niece. I miss my dad. My family drove me up a wall this summer and I could not wait to leave but now that I am here I want to go back because I know that they love me so much. I regret this summer because I did not recognize how special my time with my family was. My family is so closely knitted and I tried to push them away and it was something that I should have never done.

Never take your family for granted no matter how much they drive you crazy. Realize that the time you get to spend with them is special and something to treasure. When they annoy you take a step back and don’t hold it against them. Love your family and their faults because when your faults are presented to them they look past them and love you for who you are.