Summer. It's the time of the year known for music festivals, vacations, concerts, road trips, and the list goes on and on. For most, it's a time of fun and constant activities. However, not everyone is having fun in the sun. What I mean is that some people, like myself, hate change. I was so used to seeing my friends 24/7 and my daily routine kept me busy. I could text my friends and say, "Hey, anyone free to hangout?" and in five minutes someone would reply, "Yeah give me 10 minutes, and I'll be there." It was perfect. Not only that, but I was constantly seeing new faces and on the go. There was never time to slow down, and that was just the way I liked it.
When it came to the last few days I got to spend in my college town, reality set in. I wouldn't be able to see my friends on a regular basis. I would only see my boyfriend a few times. I would have to ask/tell my parents every time I wanted to go somewhere. My 11-year-old brother (need I say more?)
As I drove away from my beloved home away from home, I can't deny I shed a few tears. One chapter in my life had closed and now I had to go back to my small hometown in the middle of nowhere. It's not like it was the end of the world or anything, and I love my family and the few friends I still have from high school. It was just different...and I didn't know how to deal.
The first week or so was pretty hard. My dad (as much as I love him), hounded me to find a job while my mother asked me why I waited to the last minute to try and find one. Not only that, but my brother constantly wanted me to do something with him or take him somewhere. At this time I was also desperately trying to get into two online classes at the closest community college near home (in case you were wondering, I did).
After a week or two, a babysitting opportunity became available for me and I needed the cash so I took the offer. Classes had also started and the assignments were piling up. My schedule was (and still is) babysit five kids from 9-5, eat dinner, workout, study and sleep. On my "off" days I would try to catch up on assignments and if I was lucky watch a few episodes of "The Office" on Netflix.
I missed my friends. I missed my old routine. I missed my college town. I was miserable.
But then a few days ago, one of my friends tweeted, "at the end of the day all that matters is your family". I then realized how true that statement really is. I had been so self-centered and hadn't been my usual fun and happy self. My family is always there to support me and lift me up at the end of the day. My friends (AKA my extended family) are also there when I need encouragement.
I was looking at the negative side of summer and only thinking about the bad days. Now, I'm going to take the bad days as they come and just be grateful I have family and friends at the end of the day to show me love and support.
"Sometimes you need those bad days because it helps you truly appreciate the good ones." - Unknown.
