For this week’s edition of Marianna stands on a soap box, I would like to share some things I am thankful for. Here’s why: lately I’ve just been feeling defeated. I’m anxious all the time about the future, and I find myself wishing I could go back to the past. But the truth is, every era has its issues. The stress-inducers will never really stop, they’ll just change. That’s the nature of this life. Call me a cynic, but it has varying degrees of suckiness all the time.

We can look forward to something better in the next one, but for now, we’re here, and we’re not here to mope. Or, at least, I hope we’re not. I think my life has a purpose, and it is not one that is being fulfilled when I have everything that’s negative two inches from my face and everything positive seems fifty feet away and out of focus. I gotta get some perspective here, ladies and gentlemen. So without further adieu, I would like to thank some people.

Dear Roommates,

Thank you for being there for me when I bawled my eyes out on the second day of college. I will never forget that you were all really chill and nice about it. Thanks for listening to late night dramatic readings of fictional works in progress, for all those lunches and dinners that we went to together, for humoring my addiction to chocolate pretzels, and for giving me cheezits. Thanks for all those deep conversations and for supporting me, even when we barely knew each other. Thanks for saying hello and goodbye and have a nice day in the morning. You guys make our little quad welcoming and safe and mad fun. You are all crazy, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dear Grandma Wonderful, and Grandma and Grandpa Happy, (Yes, those are their actual names)

Thank you for coming out and visiting me at college! You brought me so much awesome food, which I really appreciate as a college student who is always snacking. (I am beginning to notice a pattern here. Perhaps my stomach is the way to my heart.) Thank you for spoiling me and taking me out to dinner, but most of all, thanks for just showing up. GH+GH, It means the world to me that you really liked my family heritage presentation, and I will treasure your opinions over the somewhat dubious grade I’m probably going to get back on it. GW, Thank you for doing Inktober with me! You are so fun and supportive, and you inspire me to do art. Thank you guys for being the most awesome grandparents ever!

Dear Mom,

Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for hanging out with me yesterday and getting soup with me and taking me to Trader Joes. Thank you for being so unbelievably supportive. Thank you for your constant prayers and affection, throughout all of my life. I love you so much and I miss you already!

Dear Dad,

Thank you so much for supporting me. You are so fun to be around, and I miss you when you’re not. It was a blast starting stranger things with you this weekend. I am so glad to be back in town this weekend! Thanks for coming up to school to drive me home, and all the things you do. The car ride was awesome. Love you much.