Life lessons

You know, I've really learned a lot this year, but most of it is non-academic.
When I came back to Jackson at the end of the summer, the first person I saw was the one person I wanted most to see and had missed the most. That was one of the best feelings in the whole world, I swear. But the thing is, I didn't realize that I was pushing away the two people who would miss me the most.
I can't imagine how much it would hurt when I was younger and I'd come back from summer camp, and they'd ask "Did you miss us?" to which I'd reply "No," as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. My parents would joke about how I always was so independent from them, but I see now that it probably secretly hurt them. And for that I am truly ashamed.
I think the change occured when I made contact with my birthmother for the first time. I was wary, and I called my mom to ask her advice. And when I finally met my birthmother, grandmother, and half-brother, I realized how good I've had it all these years. From the experience of staying with with my biological family, I came to the realization of how much my parents really do mean to me. For the first time, I couldn't wait until they came to be with me, and I was ecstatic to see them. And I don't think my parents knew exactly what to do. I was for once in my life happy to just be at home with my parents, not really going anywhere. And I actually was somewhat sorry to leave. I must say by the time I got to the airport I was ready to fly back to Memphis, but I had a stronger tie between me and my parents.
And then there was Christmas and January Term. I was happy to be home, and then I had two surgeries. I couldn't drive anywhere because of the strong pain medication, and I only got out of the house once or twice a day just so I wouldn't develop blood clots. My mother and I were together all the time. I'd stay up until about 11 to see my mom off to work, and then in the morning, she'd be taking a nap while I knitted or sewed or puttered around on the computer. Plus my mother had to take care of me in terms of bandages and keeping the sutures dry and clean. And that is where the bond between my parents and I became firmly cemented.
January flew by, and before I knew it, it was time for me to get on the Greyhound to make the 20 hour trek home. And I sobbed from Fond du Lac to Milwaukee. For the first time I was homesick. Not for my home state, or even my home city. I missed my parents with a ferocity that I hadn't experienced before in my life. And I must say I was embarrassed when I told my mom about it when I called them upon my arrival in Jackson. But I lived for the phone calls that they made to my cell phone. It may have been 7 in the morning, but I was overjoyed to hear my mum's voice.
So, I would have to say much has changed over the past year. I will definitely be missing Union this summer again. I mean, seriously, who would want to be stuck in mid-state Wisconsin for three whole months? But I'll be with my parents again, and for once that's not so bad of a prospect.