A Thank You To My Family
Maybe I am a little bit biased, but I think my family is one of the best ever. No matter what room we are in, no matter who we are with, we are almost always the loudest, most animated families around (granted within appropriateness and reason). Also, I think we have a really cool last name. Sure, we have gone through struggles but we truly always bounce back better than ever. After all, what family doesn't have their bumps in the road? Probably a really boring one. While I have always loved my family, it took until going to college and living on my own to truly appreciate all they have given me throughout my life. Granted, I may complain sometimes, but hey - I'm still young and my complaints are almost always trivial. I know I have for sure talked about my family on this blog before, but I thought it was finally time to break down why I am thankful for each and every Rose.
Like most people, as I grow older I find myself acting more and more like my mom. I don't see this as a bad thing though. I think that whole "I'm your parent, not your best friend" thing is complete bull, and I think my mom proves my theory. She has truly grown into one of my best friends and closest confidants on this planet. One of the moments I first realized this was about 3 years ago. My grandma's boyfriend was in the hospital in Buffalo, NY (he is fine don't worry!) which is about 1.5 hours away from where I grew up. Throughout the course of a week my mom and I took that trip about 3 times. Never once during those car rides did we run out of something to talk about. During these trips, and ever since, I have come to realize that my mom is my strongest supporter. She has nothing but absolute belief in my capabilities and dreams. Sure, she is really goofy and has an affinity for half-singing songs she doesn't know, but I owe her for my love of theatre, music, and confidence in my future. I 100% could not have gotten this far in my life without your love.
Do, I refer to my dad as Jeff probably more than I should? Maybe. Who's to say? It's honestly just a great name. A+ job to my grandparents. My dad is an amazing mix of therapist (adjunct to his actual profession), buddy, and motivator. A great example of my dad's selflessness was the time he agreed to go on a 2 mile run with me the day after running a long race. Two miles is not a lot, granted, but added on top of 14+ miles it is no small feat. He also is always there to talk to me and talk sense into me. It is a well known fact that I can be dramatic. However, no matter how dramatic I am being my dad always has the patience to sit down with me and talk through it. He offers real advice, non sugarcoated. Sometimes, in the moment I hate this. That being said, in retrospect, it is almost always helpful. Despite his tough guy look and hard talks; I know my dad to be a man with an endlessly terrible sense of humor that I sadly inherited. I also know him to be the man with designated "tortilla chip time" with my dog every single night, who only refers to the dog as Mr. Humphrey, and who catches on to my often missed jokes. After all, we all need validation for our jokes, no matter how bad.
Kate Kate. I don't know why your nickname is just your name repeated twice, but I like it and will continue to use it. I have talked about Kate extensively on many platforms. Like most little sisters, she can be annoying and we can have terrible fights. Unlike most little sisters, she lets me borrow her clothes when I am home, and almost never kicks me out of her room when I bother her out of boredom at midnight. Kate is one of the most straight-to-the-point people I know. I really do think our birth order was mixed up sometimes. Sure, she can be frustratingly unwavering in her opinions and unwilling to take my advice, but she also is way cleaner, way better at money, and way more focused than I am. For example of "unwilling to take my advice", she called me last night for advice on a book to read for class. . . and then did not choose the one I advised. I really have grown to be best friends with her though and I think we understand each other on a new level as we grow older. We have inside jokes and endless laughs and often are the most entertaining people in the room (imo). Mom made green beans.
I did not realize that Alex's nicknames for me: Ham, Hambo, Hamster, etc. . . were weird until I tried to explain them to people. Therefore, I have stopped trying to explain. Ham is a good nickname, I guess. I am sad that he is in Iowa right now, instead of here in Pittsburgh. Through the past year and a half, he has become my midnight pizza pal and little slice of home away from home. For the first time I find myself feeling alone in the city. I know he is following his goals though so I have nothing but support for him. Alex was never protective in the typical ways (which I am grateful for) but he did try his best to shield me from anything he deemed bad when we were younger. Some people feel as though they are living in their older siblings shadow but I feel as though Alex has helped paved way for my success. Through him I have learned what works and what doesn't. I have learned how to navigate school and careers, alongside work/life balance. Funnily enough, I also learned from him that I could never work in a funeral home. Fun may be in the name but it is not in the game. Props to him and Kate for enduring it, but I really think Burger King was a better fit for me. I wouldn't have known that without Alex!
Humphrey - You truly live up to your dorky name. Also you defy the statement that "old dogs can't learn new tricks". I mean, how many dogs know how to speak both loudly and quietly upon request!?
Leo - You are the kindest creature on this Earth. You don't ever bite - just lick. My heart goes out to your sweet soul and I wish you every happiness in life.
I love my family more than I can put into words. I hope this did it a little bit of justice.
So much love,
Sam
P.S. I may or may not have cried writing this.
Mom
Dad
Do, I refer to my dad as Jeff probably more than I should? Maybe. Who's to say? It's honestly just a great name. A+ job to my grandparents. My dad is an amazing mix of therapist (adjunct to his actual profession), buddy, and motivator. A great example of my dad's selflessness was the time he agreed to go on a 2 mile run with me the day after running a long race. Two miles is not a lot, granted, but added on top of 14+ miles it is no small feat. He also is always there to talk to me and talk sense into me. It is a well known fact that I can be dramatic. However, no matter how dramatic I am being my dad always has the patience to sit down with me and talk through it. He offers real advice, non sugarcoated. Sometimes, in the moment I hate this. That being said, in retrospect, it is almost always helpful. Despite his tough guy look and hard talks; I know my dad to be a man with an endlessly terrible sense of humor that I sadly inherited. I also know him to be the man with designated "tortilla chip time" with my dog every single night, who only refers to the dog as Mr. Humphrey, and who catches on to my often missed jokes. After all, we all need validation for our jokes, no matter how bad.
Kate
Kate Kate. I don't know why your nickname is just your name repeated twice, but I like it and will continue to use it. I have talked about Kate extensively on many platforms. Like most little sisters, she can be annoying and we can have terrible fights. Unlike most little sisters, she lets me borrow her clothes when I am home, and almost never kicks me out of her room when I bother her out of boredom at midnight. Kate is one of the most straight-to-the-point people I know. I really do think our birth order was mixed up sometimes. Sure, she can be frustratingly unwavering in her opinions and unwilling to take my advice, but she also is way cleaner, way better at money, and way more focused than I am. For example of "unwilling to take my advice", she called me last night for advice on a book to read for class. . . and then did not choose the one I advised. I really have grown to be best friends with her though and I think we understand each other on a new level as we grow older. We have inside jokes and endless laughs and often are the most entertaining people in the room (imo). Mom made green beans.
Alex
I did not realize that Alex's nicknames for me: Ham, Hambo, Hamster, etc. . . were weird until I tried to explain them to people. Therefore, I have stopped trying to explain. Ham is a good nickname, I guess. I am sad that he is in Iowa right now, instead of here in Pittsburgh. Through the past year and a half, he has become my midnight pizza pal and little slice of home away from home. For the first time I find myself feeling alone in the city. I know he is following his goals though so I have nothing but support for him. Alex was never protective in the typical ways (which I am grateful for) but he did try his best to shield me from anything he deemed bad when we were younger. Some people feel as though they are living in their older siblings shadow but I feel as though Alex has helped paved way for my success. Through him I have learned what works and what doesn't. I have learned how to navigate school and careers, alongside work/life balance. Funnily enough, I also learned from him that I could never work in a funeral home. Fun may be in the name but it is not in the game. Props to him and Kate for enduring it, but I really think Burger King was a better fit for me. I wouldn't have known that without Alex!
Momo, Humphrey, Leo
Momo - You have taught me that cats can in fact survive long falls. You also are one of the most opinionated creatures I have ever met.Humphrey - You truly live up to your dorky name. Also you defy the statement that "old dogs can't learn new tricks". I mean, how many dogs know how to speak both loudly and quietly upon request!?
Leo - You are the kindest creature on this Earth. You don't ever bite - just lick. My heart goes out to your sweet soul and I wish you every happiness in life.
I love my family more than I can put into words. I hope this did it a little bit of justice.
So much love,
Sam
P.S. I may or may not have cried writing this.
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