Sam's Journal « First-Year Student Journals

The Day of Birth

November 7, 2005 | 9 comments

It's officially my birthday, well I guess not quite yet - I was born around 8 pm. It must have been a hard day for my mom, pushing my big head out of her womb (although my brother's head was bigger). It is so weird to not be home for my birthday. I miss it. I miss my mom making the food I like and I miss my father's hug. I miss joking around with my brother and sister.

Five years ago I spent the whole summer in Florida. It was awesome and beautiful. I loved to be with my dad's part of the family. We spent the whole summer going to theme parks and beaches. My siblings and I were spoiled by our aunts, uncles, and grandparents. No one failed to show us love, appreciation, and hospitality. But my fondest memory is not spending all that time with family I do not get to see so often. No, it was the feeling of going home afterwards. I remember the day we got back: my mom and dad celebrated my brother's birthday. It was a blast.

Life is so different every year, every moment. I have not been homesick since I came to Biola but in this moment, early in the morning on November 1st, I feel like being home. Home is where the heart is. I feel bad for never realizing how much home would mean to me once I didn't have it anymore. Yesterday a representative of World Impact Ministry spoke about inner-city kids for whom the idea of a white picket fence is nowhere close to reality. I know that I haven't gone through nearly as much as they have, but in some way I can connect to them; I understand how it feels to not have a home that is close by. Don't get me wrong - I love Biola and I love my friends here - but it's just not the same. Home is home and that cannot be changed. But God is good, and there is a place I can call home not only in this life but also in the next. I am fortunate.

Home is beautiful. If I could thank Biola for one thing, it would be my new appreciation for home and the environment my parents have created. My home is a place of love, comfort, accountability, and most importantly, Christ. Meditating on this, I realize that the best part is that someday I will open my soul's eyes to heaven, my eternal home.

Comments

abby said... on Dec 12, 2005

beautiful! =] home is where the heart is. in Porterville

Vickie said... on Dec 13, 2005

oww sam you totaly got it on the dot!!
this is how i felt when i was away for my b-day!! i love this!! im totaly gana print this out n put it up in my room just because everything that you just said here is how i feel about home!! this makes me miss you n everyone back at home.. because no matter what theres no place like home!! n i know that the people back at home are the ones who truly care about me!!
i love you
best friend n i miss you
vickie

Myrella said... on Dec 13, 2005

you mean u never got homesick at upward bound? where were u to tell britney,torie, janet,miriam, etc. all of this when they came into my dorm crying that they miss home at ub? believe me....it was hell...hehehehe...and happy late birthday! i guess even though its like 1 month later..hehehe....

Debra Benevidez said... on Dec 16, 2005

Hey Sam congradulations. I am so happy for you. I hope your having a blast over there. The photos are awesome and your looking great. Well buddy talk to you later.

Lupita Ortiz said... on Dec 12, 2005

HI SAM!!! i just checked my email and i thought your email you sent me was a late one that i never got 'cause i havent really checked my mail since we have the myspace stuff. lol. anyways i loved your jounal entry, it was nice. i guess the best thing anyone ever learns when they leave home is that they actually loved it there! i hope you're having a good time at Biola and im wishing you the best of luck in everything you do. i miss you and daniel and everyone. things really have changed! did daniel tell you that im pregnant? probably not. . . but i am. me and phelix are having a baby girl in feburary. maybe you and daniel can come down the first weekend of feburary and visit for my baby shower. ill let you know more stuff on it, but so far all i know is that its on the 4th, at my sister's house and at 3ish... lol. well buddy take care k and keep in touch. it was good hearing from you. bye.
~Lupe~

Myeshea said... on Jan 3, 2006

Hey sam !!! I can see your doing great keep up with the good work. Sam, a journalist, you are full of surprises. congrats!!!!!!!!!!

Sam said... on Jan 3, 2006

Dear friends, thanks for the encouragement. You guys are awesome. I truly find that life is a big roller coaster. You guys are all people I have known and I just wanted to let you know that everyone around me has had an effect one me and my way of thinking. Life is not the same without you guys. later.

Pedro said... on Feb 20, 2006

Hello Sam (Myrella and Myeshea):
It's nice to see that you're a very insightful young man. It's always nice to self-reflect because this allows you to grow and mature as a person. Hey, you're well ahead of the learning curve in this area.
My advice to every college studentenjoy every minute of the experience. Once you start workinglife becomes extremely hectic and fast-paced.
My advice to every parentsupport your kids in every endeavor that they undertake and send them some spending money.

Take care,

Samuel said... on Mar 19, 2006

It's very good to hear from you Pedro. I hope that life isn't to fast paced for you now that you are a doctor and all. Life is good and I definately want to make it worth while, specially here in Biola. I guess college is really preparing me for the later years of life. I hope to hear from you soon. later.

Subscribe to the comments for 'The Day of Birth'

Your turn...

Name

Email [will not be shown]

Remember My Info

I am a