Thank You

This list is a little late -- better late then never.


My wonderful Savior Jesus Christ: for loving me when I don't deserve it, for being patient when I'm so stubborn, and for hitting me upside the head when I need a wake up call. There are not enough words to describe.

My amazing and wonderful family. I am so thankful I was able to spend thanksgiving with them. I am thankful for the support that my parents have given me and their encouragement and love in every situation. My Mom, who has put up with me and loved me since the day that I was created in her womb: from my endless kicking to my terrible 3's to my awful teenage years that I am still in. From my temper tantrums to my angry outbursts, she has somehow not kicked me out of the house. She even managed to be my teacher in school from preschool through my senior year in high school. I could never say thank you enough. I love you.
My Dad, who is the smartest man I know. He has given me so much knowledge and wisdom and the best advice anyone could ask for. Dad, thank you for the pillow fights, tickling, and singing the teddy bear song. You always make me laugh. Thank you for hearing me when I cry and comforting me. You always knew when something was wrong even if I did not tell you. I'm sorry I lied so much about it. Thank you for being so honest with me. I love you.
I am thankful for my two brothers who always make me laugh; for their teasing and their mischievousness. They are both so bright and smart and I love it when they show it. Philip is so fun and is never afraid of being silly with me. But he truly does care and is so sweet. He is so helpful and willing, I hope he never loses it. Elijah is so very talented. He is such a great writer and is so smart. He says the most clever things and he always makes me laugh. Even though he pretends he doesn't care, I've seen him surprisingly protective of me and I love it. I love you both.

I am thankful for the people in my life who were there for me when I needed them. This is a great variety of people; from acquaintances to casual friends to best friends. It was the person who made me smile when I was having a bad day. The person who hugged me when I just wanted to know someone cared. It was the person who complimented me when I felt ugly. It was the person who encouraged me when I was down. It was the person who told me like it was when I needed to hear the truth. It was the person who challenged me. It was the person who taught me. It was the person who gave me a second chance. It was the person who loved me. These people are the people I will never forget.

I am thankful for friends who let me in when I don't have a place to stay, for my tiny dorm and bed that serve their purpose, for my amazing roommmate who I believe was a godsend, for my wonderful boyfriend who makes my day, for my school and my teachers, and for everything that I take for granted every single day. God is so good, all the time.

we regret too much not to be thankful

If you are like most of the people in the world, you probably regret something you have done in the past or maybe something you never did. I listen to music...regrets of musicians, lovers, friends. Most of us can relate to this sort of thing.

But, what if we don't want to have any regrets? Impossible? What if we made the most of what we have now? Sometimes we don't realize what we have until it is gone. We aren't thankful like we should be. We don't appreciate a person or give them what they deserve or even think about it until it is too late. A simple "I miss you" won't suffice anymore. Your pride gets in the way of an apology. You can't get it out of your head but there is nothing that you can do.

Thanksgiving is coming up soon. This is the time when I reflect on what I am thankful for; from things as small as a warm jacket to as big as amazing and loving parents. It is time for me to write my annual list and reflect. What are you thankful for?