Have you ever been driving somewhere and out of the blue you realize what an enormous responsibility it is?

As I drove home from Walla Walla University, there was a car ahead of me that kept changing speeds. They'd go the speed limit for a while until they decided to slow down to about ten miles under the speed limit for no apparent reason; this happened three or four times. Finally, I'd had enough of the shenanigans and made up my mind to pass them on the next straight stretch, if the oncoming traffic was okay, of course. This being a two-lane highway, it could be difficult to justify trying to leave them in the dust if there was a significant chance I could get into an otherwise easily avoidable accident.

As I rounded the corner there was more than enough space between the furthest oncoming vehicle and myself, so I made the jump to light speed and swiftly maneuvered past the slow car. Actually, my car is twenty-one years old and it has really bad acceleration, meaning no light speed jumps in its future, its name is Stripple in honor of its stripping paint; not exactly the Millennium Falcon. So what really happened was I started what should have been an easy pass, but as I saw the gap between my car and the oncoming vehicle close quickly, I had a choice to make, commit to passing, and hope my car can go faster than I think it can, or hit the brakes and admit my failure and avoid any chance of an accident.

I am a young man and as such, I enjoy taking risks, so with the gas pedal pressed down completely, I took the opportunity. The leisurely driver I was passing decided to have another slow moment, which gave me just enough time to swing in front of their car as the oncoming vehicle flew by mere seconds later.

I don't tell this story because I'm proud of it, and I don't think it's something I'd like to remember. However, as I mulled over what happened for the rest of my three-hour drive, I couldn't help but realize how thankful I was. First off for my relationship with Jesus, whom I don't give enough credit for guiding me to who I am today; I'm thankful for the impact growing in His grace has had on me and I hope to continue on that path, in turn showing other people that true love is not a fairy tale. It's a way to live.

I'm also thankful for my girlfriend Autumn, who puts up with my poor attempts at trying to help her with stats class, and who has been instrumental in keeping me sane during this first term of college. I appreciate her sense of humor which is rivaled only by mine. As well as her passion for helping people see their potential which has brought life into perspective for me. I'd make the list longer but I don't want to seem like I'm bragging; she truly is an amazing person.

I am so thankful for my family, and grandparents. I love you two and all you do and continue to do for me, your influence and wisdom have been and continue to be absolutely invaluable for me. Thank you, Mom, and Dad for raising us kids and caring for us with those innumerable hours of sacrifice, a lot is required in an eight-person household and I'm proud to call you my parents! Though things have been tough, you both mean the world to me even when I'm bad at showing it.

To my siblings, you guys are the best; it has been a wild ride and I'm so glad for the time I've had with each of you. I'd like to especially thank Scott, we don't get much time together anymore, and that's okay because you've already made such a difference in how I view the world. I leaned on you a lot over the years and you let me; you showed me what I believe to be my first glimpse of Christ in the manner you handled situations and how trustworthy you were, to be honest I could go on and on, and maybe another time I will.

It is suffice to say that my relationships with the people around me are what I'm thankful for most in life, and no amount of political disruption or stress brought on by the situations we go through can separate my deep and eternal thankfulness to each of you for the time we've shared and the memories we have made.

Please don't let petty things get in the way of letting your loved ones know you love them, rekindle the flame of joy that evil is constantly trying to extinguish, never give it that power over you.

Contrary to popular belief, we don't have our whole lives ahead of us to show appreciation and love for others, that's what our next heartbeat is for.