Being away from home makes me think about what I'm truly thankful for this year. I have noticed what I am thankful for now is a bit different from what I've been thankful for in years past. College pulls you away from the comfort of your home, and it places you in a new environment completely different from anything you've ever known in the 18 years before. With college taking my life in a complete 180, I decided it's good to buckle down and express what I'm truly thankful for this Thanksgiving.

1. My family

Almost every year, if not every year, family is usually at the top of everyone's thankful list. This year, putting them at the top of the list means a lot to me. College separated me from my family, and even though I got to see them about every three weeks, there's still the empty feeling of not being home with them each and every day. Phone conversations fill that void somewhat, but it isn't the same as sitting next to them and just being at home.

2. A home-cooked meal

In high school, I never appreciated home-cooked meals. I had never been away from my parents for an extended period of time without another family member, so eating food at home just seemed like another lunch or dinner. After eating in dining halls for months where I've only had one meal that felt like home, meals made by my parents were dearly missed. I never thought coming home to a crockpot on the counter could fill a person with so much joy.

3. The friends I've made at school

I made a great group of friends within my first couple weeks of school, and when I'm home, I realize how much I appreciate them. Sure, we may all get annoyed with each other at points, but being away from everyone makes you realize how much you truly care for them. When I'm at home, I can't walk down the hallway and ask who wants to get lunch or go do something fun. I'm used to having this amazing, supporting group surrounding me each and every day. Not having them home with me when I go home, only makes missing them harder. I find myself lucky to be surrounded by such a great group of people.

4. The friends I've kept from home

The same applies, but almost in reverse for my friends at home. We still keep in touch, but on some days there are times where I could just really use my friends from home. Texting is okay, but sometimes I feel myself needing that person right there in front of me. And I've learned that home for a weekend never suffices. In a snap, it's time to head back to school and tell my friends I'll be back soon.

5. My hometown

I, along with most people I knew, greatly disliked the town I'm from. We called it "farm town USA" and "corn town USA." Little did I realize how much I would grow to appreciate my town. My college town is small, and the only restaurants are ten different versions of pizza. I grew to appreciate my hometown more because of the variety of food options and being able to shop at an actual mall that had more than four stores. When you're stuck in a town for your entire life, you can't wait to get out; but when you do get out, you find yourself missing it dearly.

6. The ability to pursue a high education

I know the chance to go to college isn't available to everyone, and I know some even struggled getting to college if they are there. Some people I know worked quite hard to be at a university this fall, and it makes me even more thankful that I am able to go to college and pursue an education to obtain my career goal. Some aren't as lucky, and I think everyday about how one day I will repay my parents for allowing me to pursue my dreams.

7. Life in general

This may sound a bit cliché, but I think every day how lucky I am to be living and doing what I love. Life can be taken away in a snapshot, and people from my hometown know that all too well. Even coming back to my town and seeing that tragedies still occur every year, it makes me think more about the choices I make every day. I want to use the one life I have to make a difference in the lives of others. I want to do everything I can with the one life I have because you never know when you'll no longer have that life.

The true meaning of Thanksgiving is often overlooked by the food and parades, but this year I sat down and really thought about what meant the most to me. These seven things are just some of the things I'm very thankful for, and I'm sure many of you could add more to the list and customize it to fit your own life. I've found that these are the seven most important things to be thankful for, and even after the holiday has passed, I will continue to be thankful for them each and every day.