It's that time of year. Leaves have all turned shades of gold, crimson, and flaming orange as they take flight from the branches upon which they were formed. There's a crisp chill in the air, and the cool wind upon your face is a refreshing change of pace from the hot summer sun beating down upon your neck. Sun dresses and sandals are exchanged for sweaters and boots. The sun goes to bed around 4:30pm, and the nights are long and beautiful. Yes, it's that lovely time of year, and Turkey Day is on the way.
Like many of you, I have been caught up in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, and this holiday break is dearly needed. Between school, work, family, friends, and trying to maintain my sanity, I haven't always taken the time to be as thankful as my awesome life deserves, and I know I'm not alone, so let's really take advantage of this Thanksgiving and be grateful for all the incredible things we've got going for us. Even with finals looming, I'm sure we can all find something to be thankful about.
Family.
They're a bunch of nuts, but they've been there for you through thick and thin. They survived your awkward middle school stage, deal with all of your quirks, can understand you better than anyone else, and love you all the more for it. If that's not something to be thankful for, I'm not sure what is. Plus, they really miss you while you're at school, so love on them while you're home for this holiday break.
Friends.
Who can you call for a lunch date at noon and an existential crisis at 2 a.m.? Why, your best pals, of course! You're a ragtag bunch of weirdos, but you love each other like family, and you wouldn't be surviving college without them. Give your friends a hug and tell them how grateful you are for their utterly strange yet wonderful presence in your life.
Food.
College has given me a special appreciation for a good meal. You can only eat dining hall food for so long. And it is Turkey Day. But more than the food I am eating for this holiday, I am thankful for the fact that I don't go hungry a single day. If your belly is full, you have something to be grateful for. Not everyone can say as much.
Sleep.
Ah, the sweetest thing a college student can attain, yet rarely does. These days, I'm immensely thankful for 6 good hours under the covers, but I know that I'm incredibly blessed that I have a warm bed with clean sheets that I can lay down in and, if nothing else, squeeze in a power nap.
Education.
Finals are standing, blocking the exit of the tunnel, and the light at the end is only dimly shining, guys, I know. But think about how massively fortunate we are to be pursuing an education. It can be terrifying at times, and is stressful more often than not, but one day, we will all look back on this time with pride. So many people don't have these opportunities, and we can argue about the prices of a college education and the millennial generation in the education system, but at the end of the day, we are here working hard to better ourselves, and it is a privilege. We are really darn lucky, and I am thankful.
So push on through those finals, but first, enjoy some Thanksgiving grub with your family and friends. Don't forget to take a second and soak in all for which you are thankful.
