A bit late, but here are ten things I am thankful for. In no particular order:

1. My family.

No family is perfect—but its imperfections are what makes a family truly unique and something to be appreciated. I am so thankful for my two parents, who have taught me so much and from whose lives I have learned so much. My grandparents, who have imparted so much wisdom and are willing to help me with whatever I need. My uncle, who never ceases to make me laugh. My aunt; my cousin. My extended family across the country who is always open for a visit. I am blessed to have such a loving family.

2. My friends.

You knew this one was coming, but I’m serious. I am especially thankful for them lately, as I’ve sought to contact them more and struggled with some issues. My friends have listened to me more than I ever thought they would; they’ve shown me they care much more than I originally thought. They bring fun and joy and thoughtfulness into my life. They are helping me realize, slowly, that I am valuable.

3. Leaves.

Especially fall leaves. The colors are beautiful, but so is the smell: that burnt, sweet, woody smell, bringing you nature even in the heart of the city. So is the sound leaves make: falling on a lawn, scratching the sidewalk; especially crunching under your feet.

4. God.

I could go on for paragraphs about Him, but I’ll try to sum it up. I am thankful for Christ dying even for me, a Gentile sinner; I am thankful for His forgiveness; I am thankful that He rose and broke the power of death. I am thankful that I can pray to God, and I am thankful that He hears me. I am very thankful that He lives in me—that He wants to be that close to me. I am thankful He has given me faith to trust Him, even the little amount of faith I have. That little bit is entirely from Him, I am (nearly) sure of it.

5. Books.

Ever just opened a book and smelled its pages? I am thankful for that smell—especially in old books. A paper-y, slightly musty smell—one that speaks of ages and experiences and places, places I may never go to. Imagine someone printing those pages; imagine someone making the binding. Imagine the places this book has been. Imagine who has read its pages. Imagine who has owned it.

6. Horses.

Of course. Their smell, their warmth, their adorable faces, their gaits and movement, their conformation, their variety—including their colors. They have brightened many a day for me, and always focus my entire attention on them, enabling me to forget everything else, which is a very, very good thing.

7. My professors.

As much as I may be tired of school, I really like my professors. That’s not going to change. They are not only incredibly knowledgeable and willing to share that knowledge—they are great people. Through their openness I’ve learned they are just as human as I am, and just as unsure about many things. Most of all I’ve learned they genuinely care, and genuinely want to share what they know. I’m thankful for that.

8. Music.

This one’s another no-brainer. But it’s true. I love music. I love the sad stuff; I love the happy stuff. I like country, I like classic rock, I like swing and big band, I like old pop. I am thankful for the variety of music out there, the ability to listen to it, and the effect music has on me. But I am mostly thankful for songs, like “Money” (Pink Floyd), that give me chills every time I hear them. Those songs that evoke a deep, emotional and physical response in me are, in my opinion, some of the best.

9. Crayons.

I am thankful for crayons because they present me with a choice, and an enjoyable choice. I do not like making decisions; I do not like choosing. I struggle with this, and though I’m working on it I will continue to struggle with it. Decisions are often painful, stressful things: what college to go to, what job to pick, what relationship to pursue, heck, even what to wear.

Not so with crayons. This is so, I believe, in large part because when choosing crayons I don’t eliminate any other options. When I choose to use sepia and not brown, I am not forever eliminating brown from my life. I can choose brown whenever I want to, though in this moment I have chosen sepia and can only use it. Life does not work entirely like this, of course. But I am thankful for crayons because they are a start for me—they present a myriad of choices, not painful but delightful choices. Choosing crayons is fun. Thus as unrealistic as they may be, crayons are teaching me to make choices, and enjoy making choices. They may well be a stepping stone to making better choices in the future.

10. A roof.

Because everyone at some point needs something over their head to keep off the elements. I am also thankful that my roof is much more than that—it is part of a house, which includes air conditioning and heat, and which has bathrooms with plumbing; running water; and separate bedrooms. So many people don’t have roofs, or even if they do, their roofs leak or do not provide much warmth or true shelter. I am thankful that the presence of a roof makes me both more aware of others’ lack of them, and more compassionate and thoughtful. I am very thankful for the roof I live under—and for the fact that I may never have to live without one.