While Thanksgiving is a time for food, it is mostly a time for giving thanks. Here are some things I am thankful for, but don't usually show or tell:

1. I am thankful that I enjoy school

Occasionally on the weekends or after school, I go into a deep thought. This usually leaves me dazed and "out of it" and just want to hide from the world. However, when I get to school, everyone knows how to cheer me up and distract me to make me feel happier, and they don't do it in purpose. Just going to school and acting like everything is fine helps a bunch, and I don't think I could survive in school without my friends and teachers.

2. I am thankful for my sister

Even though my sister and I have never been extremely close, we are getting there. She has recently helped me with many personal struggles by being a positive influence. She always reminds me to forget what happened and love myself, because in order to no feel guilty about what happened/is happening, I need to realize I'm actually not a terrible, annoying person.

3. I am thankful for the choice to be who I want to be

I tend to change myself to look better in other people's eyes, but I am working on becoming who I am. Without the chance to change, I can not become who I truly am. I am working on being myself and loving who I am, and I can not succeed without the choice to be able to change and still be accepted by my friends and family.

4. I am thankful for the family I don't see often

This is a weird one, because it seems I'm grateful for family who lives far away, but not my actual family. That's false. I love my family, but that is know. I an thankful for my Granny and my Aunt LuLu who I never see, but call me at random times to say they were thinking of me and saw something that reminded them of me. I love them very much, because even if we don't see each other often, I am still in their hearts and minds.

5. I am thankful for those who have hurt me

I have had my fair share of people who have hurt me, and I want to thank them. I need to love myself more, and they have forced me to do so. I have come to realize that when people hurt me, it's a chance to put myself back together better than ever before. While I'm still currently hurting, I'm learning, with the help of my friends and family, that I am worth more than my bad feelings. I am learning the hard way how to accept myself, but I am grateful for the opportunity to do so.

On Thanksgiving with your family, you might want to leave, but please spend time with those around you. Those people will love you unconditionally because no matter what, you are family. You might only see them once a year, but you are always in their hearts.