Thanksgiving

To me, Thanksgiving is a truly brilliant American holiday. I do not entirely know the history behind it, but I think that the tradition has evolved; grown as the country has grown and matured, and today it is a celebration of family, food, and thankfulness. There are no presents, like Christmas, which at times can seem more materialistic than it should. It is not commercial, like Valentine's day, which is a holiday created by Hallmark and Hershey's to increase their revenue ten fold in one day. Thanksgiving is what it sounds like, a giving of thanks, an appreciation for things you often overlook in your day to day life, and a time to share with your family.

I know Thanksgiving isn't for another five days, and I know I'm not American and have only celebrated thanksgiving about three times in my entire life, but I have decided to break my two week blog absence with this post for two reasons: 1) My roommates (two of whom are American) are all going away next weekend and so we will not be together on actual Thanksgiving so we decided to celebrate together today so you can say I'm in the Thanksgiving mood, and 2) I think we should be thankful every minute of every day, whether we openly acknowledge it or not we should be thankful for what we have. So I'm not going to wait another five days to post what I am thankful for, because I am thankful for it today as much as I was yesterday and as much as I will be five days from now.

I am thankful for my family. We do not get to all be in the same place often, and recently both of my parents visited my sister in New York and as jealous as it made me that I couldn't be with them all it also made me realize how much I miss them all and how grateful I am to have such a great family that has been through so much and I can have a special relationship with each member, and especially my sister who is my best friend.

I am thankful for my friends. New friends that I have made in the last couple months and old friends that I have had for years. I am thankful for the new ones for sharing this amazing time in my life with me, and especially for my roommates for putting up with me each and every day. I am thankful for my old friends for being there for me whenever I need them, no matter how far apart we may be, and for sticking by me for so long and through so much.

I am thankful for Italy. I am so blessed to have the opportunity that I have, and the attitude that I do towards my year here. I don't want to waste a minute taking anything for granted, because I am luckier than most and happier than many. I will remember this time for the rest of my life, and I am so happy to say that all the memories, at least thus far, are good ones. I have learnt so much already, seen so many new things, and already love the people and the places.

I am thankful for my health. It may sound cliché but it is not something that should be taken for granted. I know seventeen year olds who have battled cancer, sixteen year olds who have passed away, and my dear young cousin who is struggling with brain cancer at the moment. I believe in her, I love her, I hope for her strength every day. I am thankful that I wake up healthy and go to sleep healthy.

I am thankful for so much, I can't possibly list it all here.
I am thankful for you, whoever you are, reading this. Thankful for my thoughts and my skill. I am thankful for music without which life would be very boring.
I am thankful.

What are you thankful for?