With Thanksgiving only about three weeks away (was it not just July?), I thought it would be a good idea to start the month out looking back on my life and what I have been blessed to have and to give thanks.

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated by Canadians and Americans as a day to give thanks for the grace of the bountiful harvest of the preceding year. In America, the holiday dates back to 1621, the year after the Puritans arrived in Massachusetts, determined to practice their religion peacefully without intrusion. After a cold and dangerous winter, in which about half of the Puritans died, they turned for help to neighboring Indians, who taught them how to harvest corn and other crops. The next fall's bountiful harvest inspired the Pilgrims to give thanks to the Indians by holding a feast.

Nowadays, the average American family household will celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November by holding a big dinner at a family member or close friend's house with traditional foods such as turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin/apple pie.

Along with getting together with friends and family and enjoying a beautiful meal, Thanksgiving dinner is a time for everyone to think about what they are thankful for. The following things that I am thankful for represent me, as well as represent what I think most of us should be thankful for.

I am thankful that I am not the same person as I was this time last year. Yes, I know that sounds a little cliché, but I think we are all glad we matured over the past year. Looking back on my Timehop (an App where you see what you posted each day in the past) and how I acted, I think it is safe to say I am glad I have changed.

The way we deal with our past experiences and mistakes truly affects how we act towards things in the future, and it is important to know how to handle certain situations. Over the past year I have overcome different types of circumstances in very mature ways, whether it be about how to prepare for a final exam, or how to live with one (or more) person and share space you have not before.

I am thankful for my friends. To all of the people who have been there for me whenever I needed it, thank you. Thank you to all of my friends in high school who still keep in touch with me even though we go to different schools. And to all of the friends I have made so far in college and am still friends with today, thank you.

Thanks to all of my friends for going on spontaneous adventures, listening to me when I needed someone to talk to, laughing with me, crying with me and for just being you. You all help me figure out who I am and I will always be grateful.

I am thankful for what my life has given me. Everyone was raised differently. We did not all have the same rules in our households, that is normal. Looking back at my life thus far, I am so grateful for what I have been privileged to have. The fact that I have a roof to live under, clothes to wear and food for every meal is something I am so thankful I had. My life could have been a lot different than it was; I could have been born into a homeless family living on the streets and begging for money to give me a bottle of water.

We all take the little things for granted, and now, at almost 20 years old, I appreciate everything I had when I was growing up. The opportunities I was given provide me with so much joy and I am thankful each day that I could take part in them. Our lives could have been so much different than they were, and I think that in itself is something to be extremely thankful for.

I am thankful for my family. Now, I have a pretty big family. I have my mom's family, my dad's family, and my ex-stepdad's family whom I equally love with all of my heart. My family has always been such a great support system for me no matter what, and for that I say thank you. Thanks for spending time with me, going on trips with me and all around just being you. Even though we may fight sometimes, I am glad I get to call you my family.

I am thankful for my parents. I know I probably do not say it enough but I'm so grateful for my parents. They taught me countless life lessons, were there for me whenever I was stressed or needed someone to talk to, and motivated me to do my best and to try my hardest. Without them, I would not be who I am today. Thank you, Mom and Dad. Thank you for letting me learn from my mistakes and teaching me how to grow as a person. Thank you for raising me, giving me things I always wanted and making me happy to have you both as I go through college and slowly get into adulthood.