In honor of Thanksgiving approaching, I want to take some time to talk about being grateful. Around this time of year, we tend to take the time to actually focus on everything we are grateful for. But what about all the things that happen that we are not grateful for, all the things that make you wish you didn't ever have to get out of bed at all? Let's talk about those.

I am not grateful for having to wake up early on cold, tired mornings where I need to rush to class, but I am grateful for the feeling of relief that comes with being able to sleep in on the weekends.

I am not grateful for the hurt that comes with feeling a close relationship you had with someone being lost, but I am grateful for the new relationships with people I would have never expected.

I am not grateful for the feeling of annoyance my dog causes when he incessantly barks while I am trying to focus on something, but I am grateful for his excitement when he sees me in the doorway and comes barreling out to greet me.

I am not grateful for the girl who wasn't nice to me in middle school, for no reason at all, but I am grateful for the thicker skin it helped me develop.

I'm not grateful for the frustration of doing poorly on a test that I studied intensely for, but I am grateful for the relief of doing well on other tests or assignments, and especially for doing well even when I wing a test.

I am not grateful for the teacher who shouted at me just for making a mistake in my work in second grade, but I am grateful for all the good teachers I have had since then who have encouraged my passions and helped me with my weaker areas.

I am not grateful for the feeling of being nagged by my mother, both in person or over the phone, but I am grateful that I have someone who cares so much about me and is so concerned for me in my life.

I am not grateful for all the irritating comments and jokes my younger brothers will make, but I am grateful that I know I can ultimately always count on them-and of course, that I always have someone to complain about my parents with.

I am not grateful for the boys who have left my eyes filled with tears, but I am grateful for the boys who still hold doors and try to be kind and respectful.

I am not grateful for the dread of certain school meals, or even when I used to get tired of my mother's cooking, but now I am not only grateful for home cooked food whenever I can get it, but I am also just grateful that I know I can count on having food on my plate, especially when so many people don't even know where their next meal is coming from.

So there it was; just some things I am most definitely not grateful for.