When I was in Kindergarten, we put on a Thanksgiving assembly for our parents and teachers, and every class got to sing a different song. My class sang "What Are You Thankful For?" in which the line, "What are you thankful for?" was essentially repeated over and over while every kid got to say what they were thankful for. As you can imagine we were absolutely adorable, while simultaneously annoying our parents to no end with the repetitiveness. Lucky for me my uncle was visiting, and decided to carry on our "amazing" song throughout the Thanksgiving holiday, by chiming in, "What are you thankful for?" every few minutes. This has since become a family tradition, and as we spend the day together as a family we are constantly naming things that we are thankful for. I was challenged over the weekend to start my list early, and compile 50 things that I am grateful for. I challenge each and every one of you to make a list as well, because it has filled me with more gratitude and happiness then I could have ever imagined.
1. For my family, who continue to love and support me through thick and thin, and all of the ups and downs.
2. For my amazing friends at Dickinson, who keep my grounded and on my feet, and never fail to pick me up when I am down.
3. For my high school friends, who are still in my life every single day. I am so thankful to be able to have a positive high school experience and that you have stuck with me for all of these years (mostly because I know too much).
4. For my roommates who pick up after my messes, and deal with my loud walking early in the morning.
5. For having found an amazing school like Dickinson, that allows me to not be defined by any stereotype or group, and enables me to pursue all of my passions.
6. For my two little sisters, who remind me that life isn't always fair, but you'll always have someone on your side.
7. For my mother, who drives me absolutely insane, but is always there when I need her, and has the biggest heart.
8. For my father, who has instilled so many lessons in us, and continues to be there for me when I mess up.
9. For my sister Sara, who teaches me about patience, as she pushes every possible button, and as she makes me laugh uncontrollably.
10. For my sister Molly, who shows me pure joy, and can brighten anyone’s day through song.
11. For the amazing people I have met throughout my life.
12. For my big and two amazing littles, who light up my life in unbelievable ways.
13. For my grandparents, because they are some of the strongest and most loving people I have in my life.
14. For my amazing mentors and role models, who have shown me how to be kind, generous, loving, thoughtful, outgoing, and creative, and have given me the tools to success.
15. For Be The Match, for giving me amazing opportunities and handing me an outlet for my passions.
16. For my professors, who saw things in me that I couldn't see and pushed me to do my best.
17. For the ability to go abroad to Florence this spring, and for my parents who work so hard to make my dreams a reality.
18. For the ability to go to New York City for Thanksgiving this year, and the amazing experience of going to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
19. For my amazing sorority, the doors it has opened for me, and the love it has shown me.
20. For the Dickinson Admissions office, for a safe haven and happy space.
21. For cute children, and their parents for allowing me to babysit them.
22. For puppies!
23. For all the social media in our lives. While it may be a curse, its also a blessing because I don't know how I would survive my best friend being abroad without me.
24. For moving. I know it has been a pain, but learning to deal with adjustment and meeting new people is a gift I wouldn't want any other way.
25. For the weekend.
26. For breaks.
27. For the kindness of strangers (because I could make conversation with a rock).
28. For Adele, because her album speaks to me in so many ways.
29. For Christmas music all year round.
30. For it finally being socially acceptable to listen to Christmas music.
31. For Broadway musicals, which give me so much happiness and joy, and transcend you into a whole other world for the entire show.
32. For my car Patchy, because he gets me where I need to go and never judges me for belting out all of the lyrics of my favorite songs.
33. For my brain that allows me to think about the world and its people in such a positive and optimistic light.
34. For best friends of the past, that have taught me to move on and be the bigger person.
35. For the Starbucks baristas, who make my coffee with perfection and put a smile on my face.
36. For my mega bed, because it is the warmest and coziest thing in my life.
37. For art, which makes life beautiful in and of itself.
38. For hugs from someone you care about.
39. For a friend that reaches out to you, when they had no clue how much you needed it.
40. For good times and bad times -- that we celebrate them or made it through them.
41. For the beach, the sand between my toes and the sound of the waves crashing in.
42. For the snow, and the sledding and snowman building.
43. For hot chocolate, after the cold days I spend in the snow.
44. For fall, and its beautiful landscapes.
45. For basketball, and football, and all of the other sports my parents have taught me to love and appreciate.
46. For field hockey, for teaching me passion and hard work, and introduced me to the most amazing people I have ever met.
47. For Santa Claus, and the belief in his magic that I had as a child.
48. For nickname givers, fun lovers, warm embracers, and for all of the amazing people in my life.
49. For second chances.
50. For the chance to live a wonderful life, and for the wonderful people in it.
I challenge you all to find and write down your 50 things that you are grateful for. You'll find yourself smiling and wanting to call all of your friends and family. Happy Thanksgiving and here's to more thanks and more gratitude.
