Comforts

There are certain comforts in life that soothe the effects of an overwhelming first week of school, such as an aunt who visits specifically to make you feel appreciated and loved, and ladies who swerve out of their lane to admire shirtless runners (“for my nieces, of course!”), not to mention the laughter when you realize that the waitress asking if you’re doing okay is referring to your empty soda glasses, not the tears you’re each wiping on your napkins.

And there are certain inalienable truths that make sick days so much more bearable, like roommates who rub your back, and make you feel loved and missed at fun activities, and boys who make fun of your haven’t-looked-in-a-mirror-all-day hair, and comforting kisses on the forehead, not to mention frequent doses of Tylenol Cold, and the occasional readjustment of a beautiful handmade quilt.