Home for the Holidays

by Raegan Densmore

The time has moved fast, and I am already halfway through my holiday break. I am a bit jealous of those college students who have had much longer time off than me, but I will take what I can get. There are a lot of things I missed during my time away; of course, friends and family, but there are moments, feelings that I am grateful that I have revisited as well. 

Photo Reference: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/93/08/bb/9308bb4b743d201c867410287a6763dd.jpg 

First off, I usually feel guilty when I sleep in as I feel as though I have wasted daylight. However, since I have been home, often I do not rise from my bed until after 10am. I have not felt guilty about it, instead I enjoy the rest. Letting go of the guilt is an amazing feeling. Perhaps I just missed my larger bed in the bedroom that I grew up in. Regardless, it feels great to be back, and to enjoy sleep for as long as I want.

Driving is an obvious one as I know I have talked about it before. But it has been so fun to drive around even if it is to work, and blast my music. I have discovered new music late this year and have been longing to listen to it through a car radio. It just hits differently; the sound, the vibe, especially when I am driving through falling snow. Music also hits differently when you’re hollering the lyrics to your brother in the passenger seat. This past week I have been able to do that often. It is very enjoyable… for me at least. 

Being home doesn’t just involve awful singing to my brothers, it means talking in general, face-to-face. I get to talk to my family and friends in person. Although it is easy to update people on your life through text or call, I find it much more enjoyable to do it in person, for many reasons. With my brothers, although they frequently leave the house, and stay at their friends house’s as if they are their own, there is always at least one around to bother, or to bother me. They’re a great way to escape boredom, whether that involves playing videogames, driving them to places, or having random long talks. With my friend, we get to go back to our past typical hang outs, where we would sit in my vehicle, drink coffee, and just talk about whatever for hours. 

And then there is other family that I don’t get to see often even when I am home. Christmas time means spending Christmas eve at my grandmother's place and catching up with my mom’s side of the family. I have spent most of December doing schoolwork and have not felt much holiday spirit, so being there is when I really start to feel it. My grandmother has her place highly decorated, my mom has herself highly decorated with Christmas accessories, and I get to gather with family. 

Moments like these, and many others, make me glad to be back. Although I do not have many days left back home. This week will include savouring the moment and spending time with family before I have to say goodbye again. I will enjoy these peaceful moments while they last, however, I won’t be so sad when they end. These past four months flew by and the next four will be as well. I enjoy my life in Toronto and I enjoy my life here. It is a great balance of life, and I know I will be back here to revisit everything soon enough.