Some people call and talk to their parents all the time at school. It can be a stress reliever, something to keep them from being homesick, gossip about what’s going on back at the homestead, or what have you. But for me, I don’t call that often. I will call every few weeks just to check in so they know that I’m still alive. I love them dearly, but I just prefer sharing all at once and being more on my own.
My parents came this weekend to see me play, as they haven’t been able to make it up all season. It was amazing to see them and learn about all the things that have happened in each other’s lives since we last talked, not to mention the benefits of getting to eat out and get some groceries. It’s incredible to think that even if you don’t think you will miss your family, you will always be glad to see them when you go back home. Being away really helps me appreciate what they did for me, and what they still do for me now. My parents may be back home now while I have 6 more weeks left of the term, but maybe I can tell them a little more often how much I appreciate them.
Additionally, this weekend was the last tennis match of the regular season. For the seniors, it was the last regular season match they will ever play at Lawrence. It was an emotional day for everyone, but especially for all of the parents and family that came. They came not just to support their own family, but everyone on the team. So many different people, all coming together to support each other’s kids. Each one has a different relationship with their parents and it’s amazing to see the differences.
The tennis team has really become my family over the past few terms here which is part of the main reason that I don’t call my parents that much and it is so beautiful to see everyone’s families at the match. We spend so much time together practicing and playing, through the wins and the losses, and the early mornings and late nights that it would be hard to not be as close as we are. This goes for any group that I, and many others, find themselves a part of. When you really invest in a group, they invest back and you both get more out of it. All throughout high school I heard “get in involved, get involved in college”, and I still thought it was lame and pointless. But now, it is the best advice I can give to anyone. Find something you love and put your heart into it. The best way to find what you love is to try a lot of things. It can be hard to stop doing some things sometimes, but it has to happen. I wish I could do everything, but I can’t. So find what you enjoy and do it well, you will get a lot more out of it and so will everyone else involved.