I would say "obligatory," but I feel like that would derail the entire point of a Thanksgiving blog post. I simply had such a wonderful holiday that I am almost compelled to write one, though.
I'm grateful for a lot of things, I realize. I'm always grateful for them, so I suppose it ultimately strikes me as odd that we have a particular day where we make a show of giving thanks to those who deserve it year-round. Well, in case I've been delinquent in showing my appreciation, I shall highlight what I am most thankful for.
Family
If you know me, this should be obvious. Though, I suppose I never really elaborated on why, or exactly how much I am grateful for them. I've seen the stereotypical teenager-parent relationship all over the media where the teenager is a brat and the parents are hyper-controlling and act like they've never been dumb kids before. I've seen people who are embarrassed by their parents and don't have much respect for them, and I've seen parents who rightly deserve it. I watch all these interactions from the periphery in puzzlement. My relationship with my parents has been far different. My parents never made the claim that they were beyond reproach. They were never arbitrary or irrational in their decision making. When I was denied something or punished for something, I always received an explanation for it. They never tried to live vicariously through me and never expected perfection. I've mentioned in a previous blog post that I would be dead without their support, and I would be. I would have cracked under the pressure that I put myself under without my parents to remind me to look at the bigger picture. They have been in my shoes before, and they patiently remind me that nothing is ever as bad as it seems. They tell me to keep my head up, and keep running, and as long as I keep doing my best, I'm never a failure, no matter what the rest of the world says. I feel as though I can do anything with them behind me, and I'd never willingly do anything to hurt or disappoint them.
That's just my parents. I can't forget about my brother. He is really the greatest little brother ever. I always believe actions are louder than words, and he exemplifies that old adage. We have a quiet, mutual respect for each other. Our relationship is not volatile, but I am aware he looks up to me. I only hope he is aware how proud of him I am. I enjoy our conversations about WWII and Halo and fish tanks. It makes me happy to see him getting passionate about something and enjoying things. I've honestly never met a more golden-hearted, noble kid. I'm sincerely proud of how he is always quicker to help others than I am. I can see how deeply loyal he is to those he loves and where he has come from. He's empathetic and intelligent and if he believes in himself the way I believe in him, he'll go farther and higher than I will. Don't ever feel like you are in my shadow, because you aren't. Don't ever let anyone compare us, because you are unique. You'll do amazing things as long as you believe you are amazing.
I'm sorry, I'm getting really long. I'm not even close to finishing. My grandparents are next in the family group. You all spoil me so much, it's easy to be that one ungrateful, entitled child who no one likes. Somehow, you have the patience to put up with me in my moments. I try really hard not to have them, but I'm fallible, and I don't have morals of steel. I'd say the greatest things about you are your neverending patience and wisdom. We must seem so green and inexperienced to you, and do stupid things, but you simply take us by the hand and guide us along. And you never stop giving. You give us in excess. You give what we don't deserve. You give even though you know we'll sometimes be so caught up in getting that we'll neglect to thank you. I'm always afraid I don't make it clear enough how much I appreciate you.
That concludes family. Yes. It was long. Don't worry, it's not quite as bad afterward.
Friends--My age
You know I couldn't forget you guys. Without you, I'd be equally dead. We've spent so long with each other or at least know each other so well that our bonds are pretty much unshakable. We can bicker, snap at each other, get annoyed, get angry, but our friendship is deeper than that. We trust each other, and even though we're scattered across the nation, we still trust and rely on each other. I feel that I can still rely on you, though I may not have talked to some of you in a while or seen some of you in a while. I thank you all for seeing in me what I sometimes fail to see myself. Even when I mess up or I think I'm a failure, it doesn't matter to you. Even when I do something truly stupid, you still see me as someone of value and worth sticking with. I realized that it is not something external that creates our friendship. It is not my interests--which change--or my achievements--which fall short--that make you believe me to be someone worthwhile. Somehow, you see something deep inside me, something true and unchanging in who I am, and the very fact that you stick around and encourage me, despite my faults helps to remind me of that true and unchanging part of me. Your friendship helps me to realize that I am a valuable person, no matter what. So, my friends, I thank you for your ability to see what I sometimes can't. I thank you for your consistent forgiveness when I fail you. I thank you for your loyalty and respect for who I am. I hope that I successfully do the same for you.
Friends--Adults
I sometimes find it amazing how much respect you all show me. I realize how much I still have to learn, but somehow you are all humble enough to give my words as much weight as any adult. I am grateful that you treat me as someone worth listening to and learning from when you could easily treat me just as another child who thinks too highly of herself. I am grateful for the wisdom you share with me, and the trust you have shown me. It always surprises me just how highly I hear many of you speak of me when I am so aware of my shortcomings. It's a reminder to me that my insecurities are just that. Your encouragement and praise gives me courage to overcome my fears and to treat my capabilities with honest self-respect. I feel that I would be less mature of a person without all of you to advise me and talk to me. Your friendship has helped me broaden my perspective of life and the world, and helps me understand others better than I ever could on my own.
My Life
I have things so good. I must never forget that. I must never forget that I was born in peace and prosperity in a good country. I have a loving family. I have good health. I have a home. I have good friends, a good education, a wealth of opportunities and am blessed with good luck. I feel that everyone should be able to have the sorts of good things I have, because I feel they are important things that are meaningful for a happy life.
These are the main things I'm thankful for and the reasons for my gratitude. No matter how much I complain or whine, I never, ever truly mean it--again, I'm fallible, and wont to be weak-minded. Whether I say it or not, and whether I act it or not, every day is Thanksgiving Day for me, and I have so much to be thankful for.
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