Mother’s Day got me thinking about how much I’ve missed these past 7 months after moving away.
Every holiday, birthdays, and little family gatherings. Sometimes I feel bad for myself about it, but not right now. I get to see my family around the holidays or soon after, but I don’t get to see my extended family like before.
I talk to my mom almost every day and my dad a few times a week. They know what’s going on in my life and I try to see them once a month. But talking to my godmother yesterday, I remembered what family has always meant to me. I may have whined and complained about road trips to see extended family as a teenager, but I got to develop real relationships with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. All of whom have shaped me in some way or another.
Sitting with one of my lifelong friends yesterday, one who gets to go home even less than I do. We talked about how growing up and moving away has given us new appreciation for our parents. Both of us couldn’t wait to grow up and get out, now as adults we have a much different view. We’ve both moved away and don’t necessarily want to move back to our hometown, but don’t want to be too far either.
When you’re starting out, you have to give up quite a bit to follow your dreams. And that’s OK, it’s expected, and hopefully fulfilling. It also teaches you quite a bit. It teaches you what matters most. Family, friends, relationships, hobbies. For me, family comes first. That encompasses my closes friends too.
Money and jobs are great, but they’re nothing without people to share it with. Call me crazy for driving 14 hours round trip once a month to see people for 48 hours, but I think it’s time well spent. Those visits are something that can’t be replaced or substituted with anything else.
Relationships don’t have a dollar value, they’re worth so much more.