When I started my freshman year at the University of Arkansas, I was excited to venture out into the world to begin my independent life as an adult. I had so many misconceptions about college, but the biggest one was thinking that I wouldn’t need my family as greatly as I had in high school. To this day, I am still shaking my head at how utterly wrong I was.
Once I started life in Arkansas, I finally began to understand and appreciate family at a deeper level than I ever believed to be possible, because there’s no way to truly appreciate something until it’s gone. I realized many things about family when I left such as how my parents will always have the best advice, and that no one will love me as selflessly as my siblings do. As time passed, I began to miss the moments of community I had with my parents and siblings such as sitting around the table to eat dinner at the end of the day and riding in the car for one of the many adventures we loved to take together.
As silly as it may sound, I discovered that my family members were my best friends. This isn’t because I don’t have friends at school, but because no one will ever be able to love me like my family will.
Each time I come home, my favorite moments are entering the front door to my brothers and sisters as they come sprinting into my arms, providing me with endless hugs and kisses. I tear up as I realize how thankful I am to have people who love me so wholly every moment of the day. Not being with my family most of the year has lead me to value the sweet moments I do get to spend with them. It can be something as simple as reading a book to my little brother or going to the grocery store with my Mom. It’s enough to make me thank God for blessing my life with such a sweet spirited family, a family who is constantly pouring an abundance of love into my heart.
When I head home for Christmas in a few days, I’m going to remind myself to savor each moment. I especially love coming home for Christmas because we have a multitude of holiday traditions that we share such as making gingerbread houses, reading the story of Jesus’s birth, watching Elf and baking sweet treats for our loved ones.
This holiday season, I challenge you to go home and set aside your phone for a few hours as you spend quality time with your family. Let them know you appreciate them by giving them your time, the most valuable item you have to offer. Take time to listen, take time to laugh, take time to love, take time to say those three little words that everyone needs to hear: “I appreciate you.”
Family is the most abundant gift we have on this earth, and it’s better than any present you’ll find under the tree.