Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. What can I say, I’m a sucker for turkey and mashed potatoes (especially since my mother makes the best mashed potatoes on the planet). But for me, Thanksgiving is more than just sitting down and stuffing my face because it’s socially acceptable to do so. It’s a time for me to reflect on how lucky I am to have the things I have.
I’ve been fortunate my whole life to be in the position I’m in. I have a family who loves me and supports me unconditionally in everything I do. It seems crazy to me when I hear people talking about how they ‘hate’ their family and don’t want to go home. I can’t wait to go home every time the holidays come around. Nothing beats a hug from my parents and a plate of home cooked food.
I’m blessed to have the health of my family this year as well. I know, as well as my readers, first hand how scary it is to have a health scare with someone you love and care about. After my mom was cleared of cancer, I knew I would be grateful for the rest of my life that we made it through that hurdle. Now every Thanksgiving I take a moment to be thankful my entire family, including my mom, have their health and are able to sit next to me at the table.
I’m also grateful for the life I’m living. I’m a sophomore in college, not something everyone is able to say. I know first hand how lucky I am to be able to go to college and pursue a degree. Not everyone in this country has that chance, whether from expense or travel or any other reason. But I have a family that pushed me to get a degree to better myself and give myself a better future.
I have my boyfriend, the man I love more than anything. We’ve been together for over a year now, and I’m beyond happy to be with him. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile, and he sees me like no one else. Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve him. He’s way smarter than I am, and he helps me see the bright side of things when the world seems to be falling apart. No matter what, I know he’ll always be there for me to lift me up and see the best in the world.
Thanksgiving always makes me sit and think of how lucky I am to be where I am, and it helps me realize that all the times I complain and whine about little things aren’t really worth it. There are worse things in life than bad cell reception, petty drama and bad cafeteria food. I have more opportunities in my life than many others. It gives me perspective on how good life is going now. My advice for people this holiday is this: take a moment and think of one good thing you have that others might not, and be grateful you have it. Trust me, you’ll feel good afterwards.