How do they know?

So as I'm sitting here pondering the fact that everyone seems to be packing up and heading away for the summer, I'm getting somewhat worried about what this summer may hold. I mean, soon I will be coming home to an empty apartment every day, my family group from this semester ended last week, people are moving away, and it seems like everything I've just gotten used to is changing. For my OCD self, change is hard. It takes so long to get adjusted and comfortable in new settings...like, I have been part of CCH for a full year now and as much as I would like to claim otherwise, I'm still not totally comfortable. I still feel like I'm not completely part of the "family" and that the majority of the people there don't care if I'm there or not. Blah, it's a pretty rotten feeling, but a real one. 

That being said, it brings me to my main point...do people know that you really care for them? Do you show your love to people? And no, I don't mean mushy romantic love, I mean brotherly love...how do the people in your life know that you're thinking about them? I mean, I'm sure there are ways I could be ways better at this but if I haven't seen someone in a while, I contact them and check on them and let them know they're missed. Sometimes, I randomly go through my phone and just send out good morning texts to let people know they are on my mind and that I genuinely want them to have a great day. But no one does these things for me. I'm only whining a little bit here because I'm really left wondering that if I feel this forgotten, how do people with an even more fragile psyche than mine feel? Do I even know who these people are in my life? Am I making an intentional effort to reach out to them and make them feel loved? 

I'm an introvert in what is sometimes the worst of ways. I enjoy time alone, but I still need to feel important and loved! As much as that's true for me, I know it's important for me to make an effort to make others know how much they mean to me all the time and to encourage them in any way I can. Sometimes, this takes enormous efforts for me because I just want to sit on my couch and read or watch Doctor Who but I've found it extremely rewarding to make myself give people that time. Being around people and talking to/ connecting with them helps keep me from going crazy. But sometimes it feels so one-sided and that's probably where my aggravation is stemming from...sometimes that first step toward someone else is ignored, they just don't care that I'm trying to be part of their life. I need someone to take that step toward me so I know they are approachable and I don't feel like a bother to them.

Maybe what I'm getting at here is that I wish people would stop assuming that everyone is ok...make the effort to check on people. INTENTIONALLY love people. Someone might be needing to talk but they are quiet because they don't want to be a burden to anyone, they need people to tell them how much they matter and really mean it. We need more people who will just be there all the time and less who pop in and out of our lives pretending to care.