homesick

Reading Meredith's post made me think of comfort and dogs and just the wonders of being at home. I had a dog from when I was three years old until sophomore year of high school. He had a heart attack and they couldn't do anything to save him. That was definitely one of the saddest days of my life. Our one dog, Charlie, had been a unifying factor in my family. Everyone loved to walk him and feed him and let him go play in the backyard. For months afterward, it was so quiet in our house and so uncomfortable. There was no dog to pet or to snuggle up with on the floor heater or to play with. The house felt cold, boring and loveless. To this day, we have not gotten another dog- no matter how much my brother, sister and I push the subject. Both of our parents work full time and there is no one to take care of a puppy. But, it would make the house so much better for all of us. I have never understood those families without pets. How do they survive? There is so much comfort and love found in pets (mainly dogs) that cannot be found in humans. There is a loyal, constant friend. Who wouldn't want a dog? I now really want a new puppy to go home to. 

Also, in opposition to Chris, I live for breaks. College was not my first choice of options after high school, but one that my parents and I made - to aid me in the future. I don't like being so isolated here in Canton and I don't think I fit in that well at SLU, but that's not the point. I love going home because it makes me feel like I have a purpose and am a part of the outside world. On such a small campus, such a bubble, we get wrapped up in life within our university community and seem to forget about the rest of the world. Now, when I go home, I read the Chicago Tribune and catch up and feel as though I truly exist.