I’ve noticed that during this time of a year as a senior, things don’t pause and slow down. We’re never at home, we always have a test to study for, some sporting event to attend, or friends to hang out with. It seems like homecoming, Friday night football, and silver ball was just yesterday, yet the day of our graduation is getting closer to approaching. While it is sad that we are missing our “last goodbyes” of high school from missing out on prom, our last UIL academics season, award banquets, and sporting events, it is easy for seniors, like myself, to complain about what is being taken away from us. Instead, I’ve tried to look at what has been given to us, which is the gift of time, which gives us the opportunity to slow down before being sent of to college, more time to spend with family at home before only getting to get the opportunity to during holidays, a chance to get pursue hobbies that you never get to try from our busy schedules, and more time to dive deeper to get to know yourself. During this time, I’ve tried my best to maximize my time and to assess what is important to me that often gets ignored, and I discovered that I need more quality time with my family and more time to take care of myself. This pandemic has made me figure out that from social distancing from others that I was often distancing myself from my needs during times when I was busy and constantly around others. I’ve had the opportunity to see my family more, to workout and go for runs, to spend time reading my bible, and to actually relax instead of being wrapped up into the crazy world of high school. So, when this pandemic ends, I want to say that I didn’t distance myself from my needs and I used my time to improve myself and my relationship with my family, to dive deeper to get to know myself, and to have slowed down before life becomes fast paced again because, to me, that is how I will remain “rooted in love.”