It is December 22nd today. Everyone is finishing up last minute Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, making sure their kitchens are stocked with food, and finalizing holiday travel plans. Like many other families across the United States, my family is taking part in these traditions. The only difference being, we are having our "Christmas" tomorrow. My dad is a pilot and due to unpredictable work schedules and sometimes long periods of time being away from home, this is not uncommon in my household. Although this is a mild example in comparison to what some families are going through, the holidays are meant to be spent with friends and family, and I want everyone that physically can't be there to know that they are truly loved and appreciated.

To anyone working in the food and retail industry,

I am sorry that the establishment you work at has to be open on holidays. I am patiently waiting for the day that major chain restaurants and stores (as well as local ones alike) will close on Christmas so that more people can spend time at home with their loved ones. I have worked in both industries and have missed a few holidays here and there and know getting these days off can be difficult. If you are working several minimum wage jobs to make ends meet, hang in there and don't give up. Thank you for working hard to provide for your families. You are loved and appreciated by someone.

To police officers, firefighters, EMTs, etc.,

I realize that emergency services cannot be closed for the holidays. Thank you to the police officers who will be answering domestic violence and robbery calls. Thank you to the firefighters who will be be putting their lives at risk to save others and stop fires from spreading and causing mass destruction. Thank you to the first response teams who will be arriving at the scene of an overdose or a heart attack, saving someone who is minutes away from death. Thank you to those who put their lives at risk everyday to keep a stranger's life safe. You are loved and appreciated by someone.

To doctors, nurses, emergency room staff, and those in the medical field,

Without you, I myself and many people that I care about would not be alive this holiday. Thank you for curing my mom's breast cancer. Thank you for helping my dad recover after he was in a serious motorcycle accident. Whether it being treating someone for a cold, fixing a broken bone, or conducting an emergency life saving surgery your services are necessary every single day. I am sorry you may not be home for the holidays, but because of you some of the people closest to me are. You are loved and appreciated by someone.

To anyone in the military,

To all the brave men and women serving in the United States and overseas. Thank you for putting your lives at risk for our freedom. I am sorry if you haven't been home for months or even years and have missed milestones in your family's lives such as births and graduations. I am very fortunate to be living in the United States and to have the world's best military protecting it. I know a lot of people take this for granted, but I want you to know that there are also just as many people out there (if not more) that appreciate what you are doing and the sacrifices that you make every single day. You are loved and appreciated by someone.

To anyone I missed in this letter, I want you to know that you are loved and appreciated. I am sorry you can't be home for the holidays, but somebody out there appreciates your hard work. I know I am not the only one who does.