Normally, I?d prefer to use this column as a platform for campus oriented gripes, but I?ll make an exception this week. The real problems that are worth me worrying about would never grace the pages of some college newspaper, but I?m hoping the risk of being vulnerable will be worth it.

When I sit in front of a computer, trying to make a deadline, the typical thoughts that I have are that my issues are too deep for this forum. A lot of kids can?t really relate to what I go through, so I try to keep it light and try not to alienate some of my audience.

It?s difficult to produce a column every week that?s innovative, creative and one that creates dialogue (read controversy). The task wouldn?t be so daunting if that?s all I had to do. But if you factor in 15 units (all but one of the classes being upper division) and working two jobs…well, I don?t really need to explain the lack of inspiration that I get from my schedule. In the midst of trying to focus on such idle matters, such as how to properly write a restaurant review or solve a math solution using De Morgan?s Law, my mind has been preoccupied with thoughts of the unknown whereabouts of my only immediate surviving family member?my little sister.

If you remember last semester, I briefly mentioned that my younger sister almost died in a car accident. She has survived and healed miraculously since then, but now she?s missing. I filed a missing report this past weekend since she checked out of the motel she was living in, but now nobody close to her knows where she is.

Without revealing too much of the details, she has yet to call me when she said she would and she always calls me when I ask her to.

The reason why I?m baring my soul here is because it?s important for many of you to touch and maintain base with your family if you don’t already. No one can argue that family?s important and that without them you?d find reasons why you don?t want to live, but a lot of students can easily forget how precious family is when they?re consumed by the daily demands of work and school.

Anyone who is insensitive about this issue, or fails to acknowledge the importance of what I?m talking about here, has obviously had an easy ride in the usually rough life department. Sometimes, and I know I?m an awful monster for admitting this, when I overhear students complain about the problems they think they have, I wish that something terribly tragic would happen to them to make them realize how lucky they really are.

There are a lot of students out there, and you know who you are, that complain about things that aren?t really that important if you?d think about it. Yes, I?m guilty of that too, but when I?ve commented on the likes of ASI and the Greek members, I remember being grateful for those groups. Complaining about them served as a great distraction from the things in life that I consider being truly significant.

I know this is the time in a person?s life when we are supposed to cut the apron strings, but as all of you grow more independent, please try to not forget that at least you haven?t had the apron strings yanked out from under you.

And to those that have had to be forced into early adulthood sooner than your peers, my heart goes out to you and always be sure to remember that you?re not as alone as you think you are.

Georgette Todd is a Journalism Major. She can be reached by e-mail [email protected].