appreciation

i would just like to muse on the fact that we never truly appreciate something or someone till they are taken away from us for some period of time. my main example being high school friends. it was driven home to be over this past break that it had really been about 4 months since i had seen many of the people i was able to hang out with over break and i had really missed all their colorful personalities mixing with each others and my own basically everyday of my life for the past 6 years in high school. some have moved on to college alongside me and some are just beginning that process but they are all of great value to me and i did miss them but it was only when i was able to interact with them again over break that i really appreciated how much joy they all bring into my life. they make me laugh until my sides hurt and i feel very comfortable among them knowing i am loved in return for my own colorful personality which is who i am. this also applies within my family it was so great to see my parents and siblings even though i had seen most of them much more recently, still i had missed them. i appreciated greatly the atmosphere of safety and love that enveloped my whole break. we miss people we love and realize only when we get to spend time with them how much we truly did miss them.