Going off to college, growing up a bit, and being away from home has led me to the revelation of how important family truly is. Family, to me, is the most important thing in my life. When I am away and say I miss home, I don’t just mean the comforts of a familiar house or town, I miss the people who I call my family. You truly don’t appreciate them until you open your eyes and realize how precious that love is. Life is short; sadly we do not live forever. Remember that each day is a blessing, even if it is hard to do. When life gets hectic or you have a bad day, it is easy to forget those you love and who love you, it is easy to dismiss those in your life and to feel as if life is out to get you; that is not a healthy way to live. When life brings you down, realize who is around you and who can help lift you back up. Your family isn’t just the people who share your genes: they are the people who make you happy, who make you feel loved and appreciated. Seek those people and remember to appreciate them, because each day is a blessing and you don’t know how many of them you have on this Earth.

I am blessed to have a close family that is ever-growing. I sit at my computer, writing this after a long and amazing day. Today was the wedding of my older brother and a wonderful woman I now call my sister-in-law; today, my family got a little bigger. I not only gained her but a whole network of new people in my life who I am happy to have met. When I was little, I liked weddings and family get-togethers because of the food or the other kids. Now, I love them because of the people I get to see. I get to laugh and talk with the people I love most in this world.

Family of course, is complex. Arguments happen and I’m sure at one point you’ve thought “I do not want to go” when you receive an invitation in the mail to a birthday party or reunion. It is especially unpleasant when family isn’t getting along which happens in life. Remember though, that the best way to be happy is to realize that you make yourself happy, and if in a moment you are upset or angry, realize you can change that. This is of course hard to do, but would you rather work on what makes you unhappy or miss out on life and love?

I will restate it again, family is very important. I love being an Aunt, a sister, a daughter, a granddaughter, a cousin, and a friend to the people in my life who I love most. Remember you too have people life this in your life and that you should take time to reflect, and appreciate them. Life is precious and so is the love we share as humans. It is hard to feel positive in life, trust me I know, but it worth trying. You make yourself happy and life should be full of love and happiness.

“Being a family means you are part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. No matter what.”