I have been thinking about this column for over a week now, trying to decide what I have an adamant opinion about, and whether the University at Buffalo population wants to read about it. So after much thought I've decided that a subject that is very important in every aspect is relationships.
Now don't roll your eyes at this, because I'm not necessarily referring to dating, I'm talking about relationships with family members, ourselves and the world. Of course in light of the past year, which I will not dwell on, relationships with others are very important.
My sister and I are three and a half years apart, which means that she and I never attended the same school at the same time until she was a freshman in high school and I was a senior. At first, I thought it was going to be terrible. She and I weren't exactly the best of friends, and I wasn't looking forward to having her in the same building as me. After all, it was my turf!
But it turned out all right, and we were both involved in some of the same things, so it was good to see her every now and again throughout the day. That was the beginning of us becoming a little closer.
Family, of course, has always been important to me. My mother and I are best friends, and now that it's just us three girls, we have all become closer in light of our own personal crises. So, this year once again, I'm the senior and Meghan is the freshman. Only this time we aren't at the same school; she is two hours away at Syracuse University and we are a little closer in our personal relationship. When moving day came, I didn't go with my mother and her to move her in, I simply kissed her on the cheek, told her I loved her, and off she went.
Two weeks later her boyfriend and I went to visit her at school, and she was absolutely elated to have visitors from home. Unfortunately, the visit was more concentrated on her relationship with her boyfriend, but thanks to Instant Messenger and e-mail, she and I talk almost every day.
This past weekend she came home, and I barely even saw her between my working, going to school and her out with her boyfriend. I drove her back to school at the end of the weekend, and the car ride consisted of chatter that wasn't anything of great importance, but it was the only significant amount of time I got to spent with her all weekend.
So we emptied the car upon arrival and took everything up to her dorm, and I left an hour later. Even though in two weeks my mother, Meghan's boyfriend and I will be going up to visit, it's a strange feeling to be without her.
The house is quieter without her there, there is less fighting between she and I, and less mess! But in all seriousness, not having my only sibling in the house makes it kind of lonely. My mom and I are very close, but she is a professor and is gone all day, and I'm either at lovely UB or working a ridiculous amount of hours. So the house is empty most of the time, and someone is usually already in bed when the other one gets home.
I'm glad that I have a great relationship with my mom and that the one with my sister has changed and grown over the past four years. When college begins, I think it's important that the student going away, or even staying at home, has a good relationship with his or her family. No matter how wonderful things may be, you never know when that may change and having a decent relationship is very important. The acts of terrorism this past year and my own personal losses have opened my eyes to the people around me and my relationships with them.
At this university we have many students from many different parts of this vast world. I think each and everyone of us should step back and look at our relationships with fellow students and those that we have left behind at home. It's important that we remember that having those around us who love and care about us and who are willing to look out for us is essential to our personal well-being.
We all want to be surrounded by people we care about and who care about us. So if you haven't made it clear that you love your sister/brother/mom/dad that you constantly fight with and now never get to see, call them and let them know how you feel. Unfortunately, we are mortal, and if you don't say it and express it now, there may come a time when it will be too late.
So just remember that the people around you are affected by what you say and the way you act; that includes, of course, your family. Relationships are important, and without them we couldn't survive. So be nice, give a good impression and remember that if your sibling wears your favorite shirt, it's because they love you.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
