While it is a few days after Thanksgiving as you are reading this, as I’m writing this it is 2:00 on Thanksgiving Day. My family is doing our celebration tomorrow, so today for me is a day full of hunting, relaxing, and yes, a little Christmas decorating. But when I was asking my friends what I should write for this week, one of them came up with a very good idea—writing about the things that people are thankful for. Changing her idea just a little bit, I decided to write about the things that I, personally, am thankful for this year.

First and foremost, I am thankful for the fact that I live in America. I am thankful that my ancestors, like many before them and many still to this day, believed that America was the land of hope and opportunity and emigrated here. By them choosing to do this, I have been given a life of freedom, choice, and hope. And while the recent election has been a major source of contention for much of the populace, people have to be thankful for the fact that they live in America and are actually allowed the freedom to complain about the government. Along with this, I am thankful for everyone who has, is, and will serve in our nation’s armed forces in order to ensure that America can continue to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Secondly, I am thankful for the friends I had in high school. You’ve helped me through some difficult times, and have always stood by me. When things went wrong at home or at school you were there to talk to, and were willing to talk no matter the day or the time I needed to talk. You’ve also led to some of the best memories I have, whether it be bowling, prom and homecoming, or simply the everyday conversations at the lunch table that can never be forgotten. I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for me throughout the years.

To my new-found college friends-you have definitely not been forgotten. You have helped me acclimate to life at college, and you have made it easier to go to school without the people I had been going to school with for years. You make it more enjoyable to eat in the Union, and each day I wake up looking forward to seeing you guys either at the breakfast table or for dinner. So thank you, for being willing to listen to the complaints that all college freshman have, and thank you for being able to confide in me when you are having a rough time. You being willing to talk about hard things with me means more than one could ever guess.

And finally, thank you to my family. You have, for 18 and a half years, supported me in everything I’ve done, whether it be educationally, musically, or anything else. You’ve shown me unconditional love, even through our arguments, and you have given me more than any girl could ever ask for. You’ve been there through the toughest times in my life, and while you were dealing with the same things you still kept up a shoulder to cry on or a person to complain to. Your love and support for me in anything I decide to do has made all the difference in the world. With you all behind me, I know that nothing will ever happen that is so bad I can’t get back up again.

Before I go for the week, I have just one thing to say: please, do not limit your thankfulness to one day out of the year. Do not take the people and privileges you have for granted, because you never know what can happen. Thank each other, love each other, and most importantly, take care of each other. And be sure to do so on every one of the other 364 days of the year, not just Thanksgiving.