It has been more than a year since I went abroad. I know what you’re thinking, “Shut up already about study abroad” and I promise this isn’t going to be some whiny piece about how much I miss it and how much I wish I were back in Florence. I could easily go there but I won’t.

About a month or so ago when I was home still, I was sitting in my living room and my mom walked in and asked how I was and I said sad because it was that day that one year ago I had departed for Rome. She laughed at me and I didn’t understand why until she said I should be thankful for the experience I had the opportunity to have. Obviously I have never taken that experience for granted or not been thankful for it, but I guess when I look back on it, I simply just miss it and miss being there on the surface.

So now I am making a true effort to be thankful for my time spent abroad. Instead of saying “I miss Italy” I will change my tune to “I am thankful I went to Italy”.

This applies to other aspects in my life as well, even the little things. When I have loads upon loads of homework to do, instead of complaining, I will try instead to really think about why I have the homework that I do and then therefore be thankful for the opportunity to have a good education. I don’t think that I necessarily take things for granted so much as just overlook what I do have and the experiences that I have had the chance to do.

This month has also been a little extra difficult for my family and I because it marked the 2^nd year without my uncle. That especially is hard to apply to my new promise of thankfulness but I still try because as hard as it is now without him, I am so, so thankful for the years I had him in my life.

I am thankful for my family and my friends and perhaps don’t tell them that enough. I think a lot of people—myself included—have the tendency to forget to tell our loved ones that we love them; we care about them and think about them, even when we do. We just assume that they know and although they probably do not need the reassurance, it is always nice to get it regardless.

I offhandedly will say “Thank you” to strangers who hold the door, professors who pass out papers, and grocery clerks who ring me up. I always mean it, obviously, but I want to start putting more meaning into my thank yous. I want to say it and think it and mean it.