Enlightenment

My mom and her two grandsons; my nephews.

I have just spent a little over three weeks with my mom and my younger sister in a town where I know no one but the two of them. I have been trying to be someone that I sincerely thought I wanted to be for years now, but it always left me taking for granted the people closest to me: my family. When I found out that what I thought was only going to be a one to two-week visit was actually my staying there for the remainder of my summer, I was annoyed that I would have to leave my friends and plans behind. In arriving, though, I figured that I could make the best out of it. After only a few days, the relationship between my sister and me began to mend itself, and my mom and I began again a new relationship. One that had been delayed because of me. We proceeded to have fun doing simple things like watching movies from my mom's gargantuan collection, playing Sorry!, and shooting each other with sarcastic insults, as any good blood relative in my family would do. During the day, while my mom was working, my sister and I would blast music and be silly, take pictures, clean up, and make dinner. Throughout the day we would talk about things that we never got the chance to do together, once again because I took her, my family, for granted. While those two were asleep, I spent late nights on the phone with either of the two

My beautiful sister.

people outside my blood line who have proven they love me for who I am. Amongst all of this, I finally came to the realization of what I have done wrong in my life so far. I no longer need the people I thought I had before, as I had been proven wrong. I know now the ones who have always been there are still there, even when I didn't seen them before. I have been enlightened this summer; I know who I want to be not only physically, but personally, mentally, and emotionally, as well. I can't ignore what is in front of me anymore, but instead I will appreciate it before I lose it. At 20 years old, I feel more whole than I ever have before. You're never too young or too old to see and appreciate with sincerity what you have.


I know this isn't exactly a "creative splurge," but my last day with my mom and my sister, Rachel, is tomorrow, and these passed few days have hit me hard with overwhelming emotions and realizations. I love my family more than my words could hope to express. I hope this touches someone out there and helps their heart to feel the love that already surrounds them.

Audrey Lynn