This is my first Thanksgiving as a college student, so I thought I would like to talk about what it's like to be back home for the holidays after being away at school for quite some time. It really is a very surreal feeling. I've never been away from home and away from some of my family for so long. Every time I go back home, it feels like I lived there a whole lifetime ago. All of the memories flood my mind as I am overcome with a sense of deep nostalgia and reflection.

For over a month now I have been looking forward to going home for Thanksgiving. Of course I was looking forward to the incredible smorgasbord of delicious food (because let's face it, no matter how many options there are and no matter how good the food at college is, it still gets old pretty quickly and you really miss your family's home cooked meals; I know I certainly do). But more importantly, I was missing my beautiful family.

It was so wonderful to get to see several of my aunts, uncles, and cousins who I haven't seen for awhile. There were several laughs, hugs, kisses, good conversations, and memories to last a lifetime. There is never a shortage of love. One of my favorite parts about Thanksgiving is when we say the blessing and what we are thankful for while we are all gathered around the dinner table. There is always so much to be thankful for and being surrounded by many of my loved ones with a delicious array of food in a nice and cozy warm house really puts everything all into perspective for me.

Now more than ever, I appreciate being home from the holidays. Family time is a special time for me, and it should always be treasured. I am so thankful for all of the beautiful people I have in my life, such as all of my family and friends, and for the countless other blessings God has given me. Thanksgiving is truly a time where I reflect on all of these blessings as I think about everyone and everything I am thankful for. Therefore, I would love to try to live life every day like Thanksgiving, in the sense of being filled with overwhelming gratitude. That way, I can genuinely see how beautiful my life, the people, and the world around me really are.