This semester was sadly cut short. The experiences that could have been: blocked by an invisible enemy. We went from having the time of our lives on campus to longing for this isolation to be lifted so we can see more than the people in our house. Through this experience and longing, I have realized how much I took my place on campus for granted.

I was never appreciative of the friends or resources around me. I believed I would have access to these sources of fun every day. I didn’t take the time to realize how important these things were to me and just indulged in them. I wish I could complain about my 20 minute walk to McDowell Hall in the rain. I would take that walk every day to be back with my friends.

However, not only did I take my place at campus for granted, I also took my family for granted. I never wanted to leave campus to go visit home even though I am less than an hour away from home. I never realized how much my presence at home even for a day or two meant for them. I also didn’t know how much it would mean to me. I would consistently forget to call them for weeks when I was at campus. Just talking to them everyday now at home means so much and helps me out.

From now on, I will be sure to appreciate everyday that I have, whether it be with my family, my friends, or on campus. I will value everything that I do, whether it be walking to McDowell in the rain or play cards with my family. To end this piece, I leave you with a quote by American writer, Cynthia Ozick that embodies what I learned this semester “When something does not insist on being noticed, when we aren’t grabbed by the collar or struck on the skull by a presence or an event, we take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

Romy Patel