Even though Thanksgiving is only a few days away, I have noticed that some people are not in great spirits. I know why that is, but I will not get into it here. Many of us feel as though some decisions that were made have not been fair or that in the future, the ramifications of those decisions can haunt certain groups of Americans. I understand all of this and I too am afraid. But as we get closer to Thanksgiving, I realized that we have to remember all of the things we are grateful for in our lives. There are so many people, items, and moments in our lives that we should be thankful for. So many things we can sometimes take for granted but if we didn’t have them, we would be lost. I have decided to put forth my personal list of things I am thankful for this year. This is not a comprehensive list, just a few things I think you guys would be interested in (and there will also be some ridiculous things in the list too because we need to appreciate the little things in life).

I am thankful for my ability to attend college and finish it.

In less than a month, I will be walking across a stage to collect my undergraduate degree. Am I surprised? Not really, but there is a small part of this situation that seems surreal. I have always known I was going to go to college from the moment I knew what college was. My parents did not care where I went to school or what I studied, but I had to go. For many years, I took advantage of this: knowing that I would have some way into college, because many of my friends didn’t. Some of my friends wanted to go to college so bad, but there were family obligations or finances that made college impossible. I know how bad they wanted to go and get away from their situations with a great education, but they couldn’t. So, I am grateful, thankful and blessed to be able to attend college and get a degree. I am thankful for the support my family has given for the past four years because I know not everyone has such great support.

Even though there were very hard times for me throughout my last four years, I am thankful for the experiences and knowledge I am leaving with. I am leaving being a somewhat mentally stronger person with the world at her feet. When I started college, I didn’t think I would amount to anything significant. I might still be introverted but I have learned how to develop meaningful relationships with people and hopefully they will carry on beyond college. There is a world of possibilities out there for me and I cannot wait to go out and explore each and every one.

I am thankful the #ThanksgivingwithBlackfamilies and #Thanksgivingclapback.

As I said earlier, it has been a little rough in the “joy” department lately, so I have been looking for the #ThanksgivingwithbBlackfamilies and #Thanksgivingclapback. The #ThanksgivingwithBlackfamilies are a series of scenarios that can occur in a Black household and an accompanying photo of someone either agreeing with it or just perplexed. Not only are the memes hilarious but they are scary relatable. And the #Thanksgivingclapback is not for the faint of heart. These are memes with some snarky conversation happening with you and some relative (that you sort of can’t stand). Sometimes I am ashamed to agree with the memes, but they are just so on point. And if you get a chance look for the “White Thanksgiving Dinner vs. Black Thanksgiving Dinner”. It is ridiculous and hilarious.

I am thankful for comic books.

In college, I learned how to become “one” with my nerdy self. I was always nervous to say that I liked nerdy/geeky things until I came to college and found like-minded people. I know, I know. That is a super cliché thing to say, but it is true. I found a comic book store not far from my college and I knew I found my calling. I found a place where I could be as nerdy as I wanted to be and I found a place to feed my new (wallet draining) habit.

I am an avid reader, but since I started school it has been very hard to read a “real” book. When I found comic books, I realized I could get sucked into an entirely different world in less than an hour. I can run through the Speed Force with Barry Allen, or shoot down aliens along side television head princes in Saga: anything I want to do! And there are pictures! What could be better?!

I am thankful for my family.

They are the best support system a girl could ask for in life. The people in my family are always there for me. They surround me with love so bright and unwavering. God gave me a wonderful family. I could go on for days about all the beautiful people in my family, but I would probably not even finish this article because I will be crying my eyes out. But one person who will always be front and center in my heart, my structural support in every facet of my life is my mother. She is the most beautiful, smartest, and kindest person I have ever met and will ever meet. She is my rock. Whenever I have moments of doubt and uncertainty (which has been happening a lot more lately) she is there to see me through it. I am so thankful for all the knowledge she gives me and one day I hope to be at least half the woman she is.

Like I said before, this is not in any way a comprehensive list of all the things I am thankful for. Just being able to be alive and healthy is a blessing in itself and I thank God every day. This article was mainly to show that we should be thankful for anything and everything in our lives.

What are you thankful for this year?

I hope you have had a good year and have a wonderful holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving!