The people we come across each and every day play a major role in sculpting us into who we are. Whether these people play a positive or negative role in our lives, we can learn something from everyone. I think we come across every person we meet for a reason. Because of this, I want to take a moment to thank the good and the not so good people that I have come across.

To the people who made me feel left out or treated me poorly,

Thank you for teaching me how to stand on my own and have a thicker skin. I let the idea of feeling unwanted or the mean things you said eat away at me for so long and let it take such a toll on my mental and emotional wellbeing. Yes, every once in a while these feelings do come back. However, I have learned to surround myself with people who make me feel wanted. You have taught me that I am not going to clique with everyone. Some people were made to be acquaintances, while others were meant to be my best friends. Because of this, I have come to realize what real friends are and do my best to never let others treat me in a way less than I should be.

To my best friends,

Thank you for saving me. You came to me at a time I was really struggling and pulled me out of a dark hole I was in. You taught me what it is like to feel wanted and how to feel happy again. You have been by my side through the highs and lows of my life and for that I will be forever grateful. Thank you for all of the laughs and good times we’ve had. I cannot ever express how thankful I am for all of the memories we’ve made as well as all of the good times to come. You have made me a better version of myself.

To my family,

Thank you for supporting me in whatever I do and for teaching me that I am capable or anything I put my mind to. Because of you, I am driven and persistent. I am the way I am because you showed me what it means to work hard and never give up. Through the many hard times we have gone through, you have shown me bravery and strength. The characteristics of each of you have rubbed off on me and I am so grateful for the bond we have, an unbreakable one. I don’t know how I got lucky enough to have a family as great as you.

To the people no longer here,

Thank you for your profound impact on me before you were taken too soon. Losing you was incredibly hard on me and some days, I didn’t know if I could carry on. Thank you for giving me the strength I needed on those days and every day. I miss you dearly and do my best to live on in your light and project the characteristics that made me love you so much on to others. Everything I do is for you.

To the people I have grown apart from,

People grow apart. It’s a part of life. But, thank you for impacting me in whatever way you did. Even though we are no longer close for whatever the reason, I hope you go on to do wonderful things. I can only hope that you go on to make lifelong friends and impact their lives as you have impacted mine.

I could not be more grateful for these people and the many others that have impacted my life in an immense way. I am the way I am because of you.