There is no place like home. For better or for worse, where ever you end up, you can never forget about the place you grew up and the person you are today because of that environment. In our adolescent years, most of us were eager to move out and become independent. This independence meant FREEDOM. It meant having the ability to roam recklessly and not have to tell your parents where you are going, who you are going with, if the parents are going to be home, what time you will be home, and who is driving. It was always a 20-question ordeal. At the time, I never fully grasped the whole reasoning behind these questions. I figured it was purely out of annoyance and truly believed my parents were the only ones who bombarded their children with questions that needed direct answers.
Moving away from home, living on my own, and blossoming into adulthood has taught me a lot. It has grounded me, and opened my eyes to the “real world.” For 20 years, my parents have guided me, taught me right from wrong, and showed me unconditional love. Although I may not be living at home at the moment, I still consider myself to be a child at heart. No matter how old I am, or how far away I may be, there is no place like home.
I miss the familiar grounds and comfort. I miss the home-cooked meals prepared by my mother. I miss the late night ice cream treats, and Dunkin' Donuts dates. I miss arguing with my dad over a radio station because he called my music “crap.” And I would be lying if I did not admit to missing my mom doing my laundry and packing my lunch until senior year of high school. I could go on for days about all of these special moments I miss, but most of all, I miss the time spent with my family.
When we are away from our parents and siblings, we realize how truly blessed we are. Yes, I do love my life in college and having freedom, but in some ways a part of me is missing. I get homesick sometimes and I know I am not alone. This is not a sign of weakness; this feeling exemplifies the love I have for my family. Growing up in a big family has shaped the person I am today. I pride myself on having the most amazing siblings who are supportive and caring as well as having parents who have devoted their lives to raising their children and giving us everything we could ever want and more. I am accustomed to the chaos, the screaming, and the laughing but especially the love.
The future frightens me. Despite the anxious feeling and slim excitement I may have toward a professional career, I am realistic and know that life as we know it will never be the same. As time flashes forward I know I need to be a grown up and handle my problems on my own. But there are times I quickly venture back to my childish ways and call mom and dad for help. The best part about these moments is knowing that no matter how old I am, my family will always be there to pick me up when I am down and give me strength when I am weak.
Home, a place where I laughed, cried and experienced every emotional feeling on the spectrum. The place I grew up, went to school, and went on with my daily life. The place where I will always feel young and the most loved. While growing up can be a roller coaster, I never want to stop remembering where I came from and the people that surrounded me.
