What Now?

Isn't it funny how often we find cliche sayings to be true? "Don't take things for granted", "Make the most of it", "Carpe Diem", etc.. While I see where these statements come from, I also disagree with them. I lived all of my college years trying to find a balance between being reflective, being in the moment, and doing both at the same time. Five years later on the verge of receiving my degree, I am still in a place of sadness.

I realized the importance of all of the relationships I had the past five years, and tried to express it as much as my personality allowed. This period of transition is hard, because I don't know what to expect, and I know what I already have. How can I be expected to wake up with enthusiasm every day, when there is so much uncertainty about the future? It's hard to seize the day when I need to reflect first.

Don't get me wrong, I am excited to begin what is considered the biggest part of an American's life in a career, but to be able to appreciate the things when they come, I think it is important to realize where I have came from and who the people are that helped me get there. If I am taking anything for granted, it's the role that my friends and family have played in shaping my personality and perspective. It's not the laughs, cries, arguments, or deep conversations we shared.

Miss you guys. 

I suppose the realization that I am coming to, is how important it is to balance appreciation for friends and family, and living in the moment. Without reflecting on my past and realizing how it helped bring me to this point, it is impossible for me to move on to the next stage and appreciate that just as much.

So this is to all my friends that peer pressured me into going out on Monday nights, and encouraged me with my studies the next day. This is for all of my friends that encouraged me to stay out for one drink just to "see what happens", and the ones who fed me water later that night. This is also for my friends that were there when I needed to talk about something important, and helped make me feel better. Thanks for the memories, and know that even if I'm gone, I'm always around.

Motherly Memo

It's Mother's Day, one of the few holidays that should be recognized every day. Because we all know where we would be without our moms. If I had to guess where I would be without my mom, it would be somewhere between dead in a roadside ditch, and mopping floors for a living (not that there's anything wrong with that). But no matter, thanks to my mom I'm in a place where I can be proud of who I am and where I came from.

She even buys me beer!

In the transition period I am currently in of graduating and moving into another life stage, this year is a year that I appreciate my mom more than I have in past years. This is for the nights of my youth I would sleep in mom and dad's bed because of a nightmare, getting read to on a nightly basis, having desserts snuck to me before bed, and the lunches I was made EVERY day of school. It's so great to be at a point where I can recognize how all those seemingly normal occurrences compiled to such significance. It's amazing how consistency is able to symbolize love, caring, and nurture.

The luxury of not having to worry about if someone at home loves me or not, and knowing that there would always be dinner made for me and laundry folded, is what makes me so grateful that I have the mom I have. I am so fortunate to have been raised by such a beautiful person and to continue to be supported throughout college. Mom, I really have no idea how you were able to deal with not just one of me, but a twin and three other kids. I am just so glad that you found it to be worth it. I love you mom.

For everyone who has the fortune to say they can appreciate all of these things, cheers to you and your mothers; because not everyone has a loving mother to go home to.

Happy Mothers Day!