Being home helps rejuvenate
By: Connor Mabon – Opinions Editor
The clock on my car’s dashboard had just turned 6 p.m. when I pulled into my garage back home in Pittsburgh. For many of us, this means it’s dinner time.
Weary-eyed and ravenous, I quickly swung the basement door open without even removing my bags from the trunk. After several hours of staring down the mesmerizing highway, I needed to switch gears to a relaxed state.
As I walked through the door I was taken aback by the smell of something so familiar, so comforting that I felt my empty tank had started to refuel.
The scent causing my mind to relax and stomach to rumble was coming from a large pot sitting on the stove top.
Simmering away was warm liquid goodness filled with chicken, carrots, onion, garlic, celery and pastina (little pasta in Italian).
This simple pleasure set the tone for the rest of what was my last, and best, midterm break.
Though I spent most of my time trying new restaurants and bars around my hometown, I still made sure I was able to catch up on all things life with my family. It’s amazing how innocent conversations can reveal so much truth and wisdom about ways to interpret and deal with the events we experience.
American writer William Ellery Channing once said “home is the chief school of human virtues.” I truly believe this has meaning behind it. Just think of how much we learn from our family members about the good things life has to offer and how to deal with all of its harsh realities.
Think back to all the times in our youth when we were corrected by our parents for being impolite or disrespectful to others, even though little Johnny Jagoff threw a toy at you after sharing it with him. Think back to the times when you felt lost and confused about why bad things have to happen to good people. Where was it that we learned how to cope with all the challenges thrown our way? I’d say it was within the confines of our own homes.
Being home during a time in our lives when we’re suppose to be out and about all the time doing who knows what teaches us to appreciate what we have and ones who love us.
School serves its purpose for a certain kind of education and for socializing with others, but there’s something special about what happens in the home that rejuvenates someone like a worn out senior who’s ready to tackle bigger challenges. I reveled in all the great food and good company that surrounded me because I know after losing my father that it’s so important for us to appreciate the small things like having innocent conversations with family members
Don’t get me wrong, I love the UD way of life, but changing your pace is a good way to keep life interesting and enjoyable.
Being away from home presents the opportunity to learn valuable lessons on responsibility and self-discipline, yet there have been times where I, and I’m sure many others, have felt their hearts being tugged toward the place we learned to be tormentor of siblings, and more importantly, ourselves.