The world is full of choices. What cereal should I eat for breakfast? Should I walk or drive to class? Should I finish my homework now or watch an episode of Game of Thrones first? When you think about it, there are a lot of things we have control over. However, family is not one of those things. Despite what some people may like to believe, you cannot choose your biological family. This means that whether you like it or not, this random group of people plays an instrumental role in how you shape up as a human being.
Luckily, I've been blessed with four of the most extraordinary human beings on this crazy planet that just so happen to share my last name. During my 21 years on this Earth, I believe my family has taught me more life lessons than I can even begin to write down.
My older brother, Daniel, is the smartest person I know. In high school, he used to read our old, dusty set of encyclopedias... for fun. And no, I cannot make this stuff up. He taught me the true worth and value of knowledge, and that it's always best to think before you speak.
My older sister, Teresa, is the strongest person I've ever met, or ever will meet. For purposes of this class, I'm going to spare the rather gruesome and emotional details of various things that have happened to, things beyond her control. But I will say this. She is kind, generous, faithful, and hilarious. She taught me what it's like to have a best friend.
My father, Paul, grew up on a very poor farm of 12 children with an alcoholic father. Despite living in southwestern Minnesota town of less than 1,000 people, he gained a college degree. He taught me what it means to truly work for something.
My mother, Sue, lost her mother in a car accident at age 17, four days before Christmas. She was the one driving the car. Even though this event has followed my mother through her adult life, she transferred the tragedy into something she's excelled at ever since: love. My mother used to read me bedtime stories and sang me to sleep each night. She nursed me through the chicken pox, dealt with me during those impossible high school years, and has talked me through countless mental breakdowns. She taught me what it truly means to love someone unconditionally.
My sister just got married in Rapid City a couple of weeks ago. The weekend was perfect, but, like all good things, it eventually came to an end, and it was time for me to make the 6 hour journey back to Vermillion. As I hugged each of them goodbye, I started to choke up, to the point where I could barely speak. I cherish being around each of them so much, that the thought of saying goodbye was too much to take. I think this is when I realized just how important my family is to me. I believe that I wouldn't be the person I am today without this loud, dysfunctional, caring, loving group of people. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
