Thanksgiving is not only the day the Pilgrims and the Native Americans had a huge feast back in the day but a time to reflect on the past year and decide what you are thankful for. Not what your friend or your family are thankful for, but what you yourself are thankful for. My list may seem a bit cliché, but here it goes:

1. My Friends

When giving thanks, I turn to my great, well-rounded, unique, crazy, fantastical friends. Each one of them gives me a new perspective on life as a whole. Their experiences and lives back home make me appreciate not only them (my friends), but what I have been blessed with as well. This Thanksgiving I will make sure to thank each and every one of them for simply being themselves and befriending me.

2. My Family

Yes, Thanksgiving is kind of all about the food, but just think, who do you eat the food with? Yep, your family. As boisterous, comical, and ushy-gushy my family is I love them, and I'm thankful to have each and every member. Pre-teen, teen, adult, or senior citizen, all of my family members inspire me. This Thanksgiving I am making sure each and every aunt, uncle, mother, father, cousin,brother, or sister is aware that I am thankful for them and all they have offered to me this past year.

3. My Education

Having the ability to attend college, especially to follow my dream, has been the greatest experience of my life so far. I am beyond thankful to have this opportunity, and it would not have been possible without my hardworking parents. The love, support, and appreciation they express to me only makes me work harder.

4. Glorious Food

Thanks to my aunt and uncle's ability to cook one of the most decadent turkey's I have ever tasted, I will thoroughly enjoy this Thanksgiving. Of course, along with the turkey comes the sausage stuffing. Yummy. My mommy's garlic mashed potatoes. Yummier. Sweet potatoes topped with roasted marshmallows. Yum-Yum. And of course the cranberry-apricot cobbler. Yummiest! Food is always something to be thankful for, especially when some are not as fortunate to have a home cooked, plentiful Thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and dwell on the things we are thankful for. Do me a favor this Thanksgiving, think about one thing you are most thankful for, and why?

Have an amazing Thanksgiving and enjoy what you are thankful for, I know I will.