"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -Colossians 3:17

So often we forget what Thanksgiving is really about. Of course, the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato pie, etc. is vital. Spending the day or week with family and friends is great. I can't forget the crucial need for a week vacation of before the dread of finals hits. But with so much going on in our lives, we often forget that it is as simple as it's named. The day is all about THANKS-giving. Giving thanks to God, the people in your life, and the many blessings we each have. This is my thanksgiving letter.

Mama and Daddy,

Thank you for being my parents. You didn't really have a choice, but thank you for choosing me. There are so many kids that will be without their parents, for various reasons, this holiday season. I am blessed to be aggravating you for almost 21 years now. Thank you for my two bothers, I mean brothers. I know you didn't have a say so in it, but without those two I'd be lost. Thank you for always being my coach and my cheerleader. Thank you for always being a phone call or text away, even when it's 3 am and I didn't mean to text you. Thank you for always picking me up when I'm down and keeping me safe.

My brothers,

You two are the biggest pains in the butt I have ever encountered. You have set standards that I can never meet. You have far exceeded what I can do. You have taught me how to be my own person. With such gifted brothers, athletically and academically, it's hard to stand in my own light. You make room for me. You go to basketball games with me. You go on McDonald's runs with me. You're always down to spend the day teaching me how to play some Xbox game. You let me sleep with you every Christmas Eve and have taught me to fall in love with all the little things again. You let me have silly nicknames for you and are forever getting me in trouble. Thank you for choosing to come/ being drug to every game of mine. My life would be boring without you Brudder and Booger!

My aunts, uncles, and cousins,

You guys have always been there. I never know exactly how you always knew, but you showed up. Your love and support has always been felt. Y'all are the family people wish they could have. Thank you for always laughing with me (or at me).Thank you for the cousins that are lifelong best friends. Thank you for always keeping me amused or checked into my faith. Thank you for being role models and holding me accountable, even if you didn't know you were doing so. Thank you for all the Christmas floats, family dinners, and crazy photo shoots. We are never short on memories and still have plenty more to make.

Samantha, Katie, Cara,

Bless your hearts. You have been with me for going on three years now and I couldn't thank you more. Sammy, thank you for always being my shopping buddy and the complete opposite of me. You're always there to listen to my rants, calm me down, and help me see reasonably. No one will ever be the left to my right or my throwing partner like you. Katie Michelle, I don't know where to begin. Thank you for two eventful years at Andrew and for continuing our reign to BPC. Thank you for being just as grumpy as me in the mornings and always being down to eat Mexican. There's no one else I'd rather talk boys and watch Disney movies with. Cara, thank you. Thank you for being my first friend in college and my forever friend. Late night boy talks, RA duty hit lists, and Netflix marathons aren't the same without you. We went from one floor apart to our schools being 137 miles apart, but you're still there. Thank you for always checking on me after a tweet and keeping my secrets safe. You three have been through a lot with me and I can't wait for more memories.

The boy who's mending my heart,

Thank you for picking me. You could have anyone at school or back home, but you still pick me. But more importantly, thank you for helping me pick up the pieces. In the short time, you've been in my life, you've made me happy. You make any bad situation better. You help me realize that life is not always serious and there's nothing you can't fix without a Marvel episode on Netflix. You've made me truly smile and enjoy life. Thank you for making me laugh. You push my buttons like none other. You have flipped my world upset down in the best of ways. Thank you for seeing the best in me when I can only see the worst. Thank you for doing life with me and keeping it simple.

God,

Save the best for last, right? But seriously. All of the above wouldn't be possible without THE man upstairs. Thank you for all you have blessed me with. Thank you for being the light in the darkness, the ladder out of my rock bottom. Thank you for always being there. I don't need to make an appointment or pick up a phone to talk to you. I just have to speak and I do it a lot. Thank you for always giving me a solution, even when it's not the one I thought I wanted. Thank you for knowing whats best for me and proving me wrong when I think I do. You have blessed me with more then I could have ever asked for. This letter just touches on the bountiful blessings. Over all of this, though, thank you for being my Lord and Savior. Thank you for giving me an everlasting love and eternal life. Thank you for being the Light in me and allowing me to use my life as a testimony to you. Thank you for forgiving me.

It's not that hard to take a minute to just give thanks. Perhaps you could go around the table this holiday season and say one thing you are thankful for. I promise it will bless you and warm your heart to hear how the Lord is blessing your friends and family.

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving, y'all!