To the people I love

After my third glass of wine and the glamor of New Year's Eve was put on pause, all that was left to pass the time until midnight was the company. Something just didn’t feel quite right. Though my stomach was uncomfortably full, I still felt empty. I looked around the table, pausing for a moment to take in the sight of each of my family members. Each face met me with a dull, distant gaze. Realizing that each one of them had mentally vacated the table, I felt very alone. My mind wandered to my own home that I so eagerly left behind. Up until the week before I left, I couldn’t wait to get away from the Midwestern United States, but I am beginning to realize that I left behind more than a small town college on a hill. More than cold, blustery winter days, and May Day Peace Conference. I left the only place I’ve ever felt at home. I feel like I had really learned to love again, which is something that I had lost for awhile. I learned to love people and to love life. And I mean real love, like how you love your first boyfriend, or your favorite lipstick (if you’re into that sort of thing). So anyway, I guess I just want to say thank you to my ‘family’ that I left back home. You mean so much to me and I wouldn’t be who I am right now without you. I miss you and I will see you again when I come home!
Love,
Lauren
P.S. Happy New Year!!! I hope it's a good one. My New Year's resolution this year is to make my bed every day. Do you think I can do it?