College Bound: Canton High Grad Appreciating Family Support

I know as a teen, it is sometimes easy to overlook the ones that are always there for you–the people who drive you here and there, and the loved ones that support you. These wonderful people happen to be . Whether you like it or not, family is always there.

Now, I know how easy it is to want to blow off family and go out to dinner or just hang out with friends instead. But the fact of the matter is, we teens need our family. I did a little college shopping this week, and I have to honestly say that although I pretend I know everything, I had NO clue what I needed or did not need for school.

Well, that's where my mother comes into play! And when Mum started to annoy me, my Nan stepped in and told me mother to let her "wonderful grandchild make her own choices." Of course, when finding a color scheme and cute picture frames got to be a bit too stressful, my sisters chipped in with their helpful ideas. When we finally rang up the cost of all the I needed, I was thankful that I have hardworking parents to help foot the bill!

Yes, of course, family can be annoying at times. We teens know it all and it can sometimes be stressful to have to explain simple things over and over again to those who simply can not know as much as us! But think about it. What is a Christmas without family? Or a Thanksgiving without a big hug from Grandpa? How about a birthday without getting a birthday kiss from Mum? Or not getting dropped off at college with your dad trying not too tear up as he lugs the heavy things up to your dorm room? Let's face it folks...family is everything.

I am fortunate enough to have a lot of family in my life! If you have been following along on my articles, I'm sure you have heard over and over again how much my Mum, Dad and sisters mean to me and how they obviously play a huge role in my life. But even more so, I have amazing grandparents that helped mold me into who I am today. I get my strength from my Nan. She has been through so much and she has been able to teach me how to fight with a positive attitude.

I would like to say I got my brains from my Granddad, but it is hard to fill the shoes of an M.I.T. graduate. My Granddad shares his knowledge with me everyday, and he is always a phone call away for any help that I need in my math class. My Grandma is amazing. She juggled so much while my dad was growing up. She was a nurse with four kids and she is always the one that I can talk to about anything. I know Grandma will have some of the best advice in town, along with Grandpa. I respect Grandpa very much and have learned a lot from him. While sitting at the dinner table, Grandpa will tell stories from when he was growing up or stories about what is going on in his community. Of course, I always listen closely when Grandpa talks. He has lessons to be learned in his stories and he has such a nice laugh and smile then when he gets a good story going, it is impossible for listeners not to laugh along.

I admire my grandparents more than anything. They mean the world to me and I am so lucky to have them here with me. I can not stress how important family is. It is already halfway through summer. For kids like me who are going off to school, I urge you to spend a night here and there with the family. Before you know it, we will have that homesick feeling in our gut. In the end, it will be our home and our families that we really, truly want.