Thanksgiving is a time to reflect upon all the amazing things in our lives and follow DJ Khaled's advice to "bless up." Our parents, our friends, our education, whatever it may be, there is always something or someone that we have to be thankful for. This year, I am most grateful for:
1. My parents
All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my amazing parents. I was blessed with two of the most brilliant, talented, selfless, beautiful individuals for parents, and I don’t thank them nearly as often as I should for all the sacrifices they've made for me and the opportunities they've provided for me. Thank you to my gorgeous mother, Limor, and my handsome father, Liad, for giving me life, for always fighting on my side, and most importantly, for loving me unconditionally.
2. My siblings
My older sister and my younger brother have been, and always will be, my best friends and greatest supporters in life. I am forever grateful to my younger brother, Nathan, for teaching me how to be courageous, and how to get out of a chokehold or how to escape a bear hug. And I am forever grateful to my older sister, Danielle, for showing me that only she is allowed to boss me around, and that, as Carol King once sang, “if you need, you need me to be with you, I will follow where you lead.”
3. My friends
My friends are like my extended family, my cheerleaders, and my partners in crime. They keep me going through the day, they remind me of how loved I am, and they never fail to make laugh. Big shout out to my best friend, Karin, at the University of Oregon, who has been with me through thick and thin, and understands me better than anyone else.
4. My housemates
This year, I can confidently say that I have finally found my home away from home. Despite my OCD cleanliness and my incessant coughing throughout all hours of the day (and night), my housemates still love me and continuously make my every day better. This thanksgiving I am thankful for my beautiful roommate, Jessica, for always being there for me and making me laugh, for my sweet housemate Jenna, for her selflessness and positive energy, and for my talented housemate Sophie, for her love of adventure and kind heart.
5. My boyfriend
The challenges and stresses that come with being a student at a prestigious university are suddenly not so intimidating when I’m not experiencing them alone. From the little things to the greater sacrifices, I am eternally grateful to have my best friend by my side this year. Thanks for always thinking exactly what I’m thinking, for getting just as excited to ride in the carpool lane, and for singing at the top of your lungs with me during our long car rides to LA.
6. My health
Recently, one of my best friends was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. While I am confident that she is strong enough to fight this awful disease, she has reminded me of the more important things in life, like my health and my well-being. This thanksgiving, I urge you all to remember that we have so much to be grateful for.
7. My school
Need I say any more? I live oceanside, with three of the most amazing girls in Isla Vista. I attend a school that was ranked by Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) in 2016 as 42nd in the world and 28th in the nation. For all this and more, I am grateful.
8. My freedom
With the recent elections sending millions of people into a frenzy, I choose to remember that I live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. My relatives in Israel live in constant fear, knowing that if a bomb siren goes off, they have only a few seconds to find shelter and hide. This year, I am thankful to be living in America, where the opportunities for my future are endless.
