To My Out-of-State Students...

Normally I find a way to encompass everyone when talking about my experiences here at UNC. However, I now understand the challenges of not being around your family during difficult times. I spent my first Labor Day away from my family last year, which is also the first holiday that most students from out of state who struggle with because they can’t just get in the car and drive home in two hours. Thankfully, I was able to surround myself with my friends last year to help me pass the time and not think too much about it. But, this past weekend, my entire family on my mom’s side was able to come back to Omaha and have our own mini-family reunion. Everyone made it back, except me and my brother, who is active duty military. To have my family, which includes my cousins, five aunts, and two uncles and their spouses, in one city eating together and hanging out with each other is definitely a task in itself. As you can see, a big family produces strong family ties and bonds.
At the same time, amidst family time and connection via the speakerphone on my cell, I was able to be a part of it in my own way. Unfortunately, speakerphones don’t replace the elements of being there with your family when crisis arises. Though my parents and other family members attempted to keep me up-to-date with the latest news and updates, it felt like it wasn’t enough. I just wasn’t there. As sappy as it sounds, I wasn’t there to comfort the people that made me who I am today. It’s tough and it’s a difficult place to be in. You want to do, but you can’t do what you want to do because of a thing called distance.
Yet, when the dust settles, you find out how strong those family ties and bonds truly are when you’re away. Not only that, it forced me to take a step back and ask myself some pivotal questions. What would I do differently to prevent the situation? What were their reactions? Was my reaction too over the top? Despite the hundreds of questions and scenarios that ran through my mind, I was able to come to one humbling question. Did my family invest in me enough to be strong through this, without them being there? Not to brag, but my family did an amazing job getting to where I am today. They gave me the necessary tools and most importantly, the hope that I can get a college education. That is their top priority. After talking to them, they reassured me that I’m not excluded, but my role has now changed.