In life we take so much for granted. We never truly appreciate what we have, or just how lucky we are until it’s too late. The time has passed and we no longer care. I’m just as guilty of doing this as the next guy, but at least I’m starting to wrap my head around it before it’s too late.

We get so caught up in our own lives with work, social lives, what have you that we often take for granted the support system we have. More specially, our family. The building blocks of our lives are so often taken for granted. We may say “thank you” on occasion, but not nearly enough as we should. We may say “I love you,” but again, only when we know we should say it. Not because we think about saying it, but because our moms, sisters, brothers, grandparents say it first. They initiate it, and we follow their lead.

We only recognize and truly appreciate how much our family does for us when it’s convenient. And I mean convenient like you need money from your mom ASAP to buy books, gas, or some adventure that you cannot afford yourself. We say “thank you” and carry on with our days. Just to go a few days without talking a whole lot then asking for something else a week later.

The shitty thing is, we ask for so much and our family asks for so little in return. Maybe your family asks for you to eat dinner at home once a week. Heaven forbid they ask for a couple of hours of your precious time, right? How dare they! Instead of sucking it up, we may complain and complain and complain until we get our way. I’m not saying we’re all guilty of this, but I have definitely complained when my mom asked me to do a small meaningless task for her.

One could call us selfish, others could call us “kids.” Both are horrible excuses. I blame society for this, because we are being raised in an environment that thinks its “cool” to be rude to our parents, to see how much we can get away with, etc. Since when did being disrespectful to our parents or guardians become the newest trend, much like the bottle flipping and dabbing trends?

As I have hit the college stage, I have begun to realize just how important family really is. We took them for granted when we were younger, but as the years go on we begin to see just how much they do for us. It is safe to say, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my mom and family. And I think society, as a whole, should change their kid’s perspectives. Give them a wake up call and show them just truly how lost they would be without their family and friends.

Family doesn’t have to be biological, family can be anyone as long as they bring you up and not tear you down. As long as there is a two-way street between you, so you can be there to support one another, then you are family. Most of all family is what you make of it.

Don’t forget to thank them more often, especially, when they least expect it.