Let's be honest, the world is changing; and it's changing fast. I don't think anyone can say it's changing in a positive way either. There are a lot of values that slowly dying and it's because of society's "me" mentality. Having said that I think that there is almost always one thing that you can rely on at all times; family. Family is supposed to be your rock, your support system that never waivers. I'm very fortunate to have a family that is exactly that.

There is never a time that I can't count on my family for being there. I openly admit that I am the way that I am because of my family. Many characteristics that anyone possess can be genetic, but many things are learned and picked up from the time that you spend with family. For example, my Grandpa is a photographer and a dive master. Through the time that I have spent with him, he's taught me all about the art of photography. He paid for my sister, cousins and I, to be certified divers. My Grandma is a great cook, and she taught me her secret recipe to making the perfect pancakes. My other Grandma was a nurse for forty-seven years, and she always talked about the cases she saw in the ER, which influenced me to become a nurse prior to switching my major. My Dad's love for all sports lead me to become an athlete my whole life. My Mom's passion for writing has lead me to become an avid writer.

Family is interesting because you don't get to choose them. Some may feel that they got the short end of the stick; they may feel that they've been misplaced and should be with a more fitting group of people. I can understand that, but just because you may not have everything in common with them, doesn't mean that they're not the right fit. Family isn't about getting along one hundred percent of the time because let's be honest, everyone has gotten into arguments with family before. Family is about having a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen at any given moment, on any given day. I know that there are some who aren't fortunate enough to have that, but the majority do, and I think it often can go unappreciated. What's important to remember is that they'll always love you, through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The holidays are just around the corner and it's a great time to be thankful that you have them, whether your family is big or small, one person or many, it's all the same. Take a second and be appreciative that they're there. You can have friends, significant others, coaches, you name it; but no one will ever have your back like your blood will. It's an unwritten rule that you defend first, and ask questions later. I love my family unconditionally and I wouldn't change them for the world, and I think that if everyone thought that way, the world would be a little bit brighter.