This time of the year is when we often stop and think about what we are thankful for in our lives. As much as we may complain, many of us have so many amazing people and things in our lives to appreciate and be thankful for. Although I often don’t show it, I am incredibly thankful for everyone and everything in my life. This Thanksgiving season, we all need to stop and think about how blessed we actually are.

I am thankful for my parents. Without my parents, I would definitively not be the person I am today. Growing up, I may not have had every single toy I ever wanted, but I had a lot of other things. My parents have given me so many memorable experiences. Even though I was often difficult, especially as a teenager, my parents have always shown me patience and unconditional love.

I have thankful for the rest of my family. Growing up, many of my fondest memories involved spending time with my grandparents, siblings, aunt, uncles, and cousins. My cousin who is the same age as me was my first best friend and even though we don’t get to talk much anymore, we can always pick up right where we left off when we do. I am thankful for the wisdom and knowledge my older family members have passed on to me, and don’t know where I would be without them.

I am thankful for my friends. As life goes on, friends come and go. However, there have been a handful of people that I have met that I know will be my friends forever. I am thankful that even when I make huge mistakes, they never judge me. No matter what I need, they always have my back. Going through college, the friends I have made have become such an important part of my life and I really don’t think I could have survived college without them.

I am thankful for my sorority family. From the time I met my big, she had become one of my closest friends. We have so many hilarious, crazy, and just bizarre memories together. I am thankful for someone to always send screenshots to and someone to complain to about everything. Then, I got my little and made another amazing friends. I am thankful that no matter how many times I accidentally lose her at a frat party, she will never be mad at me. I am thankful for someone I can go on so many adventures with and somehow still come out alive. I cannot imagine my life without all these amazing people.

Finally, I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given in life. I am an extremely lucky to have been born in a country where I do not have to live in fear. I am extremely lucky to have been born into a family that supports me no matter what; and I am extremely lucky for all I have been given. Not everyone gets the chance to study at the University of her dreams and pursue all her goals with little worries. For all of this, I am so thankful.

This week, while I am enjoying my week off from school and stuffing myself with some good food, I know that I’ll look around and think about everything I am thankful for. Every day, not just during the holidays, we all need to stop and think about all the opportunities and blessings we have been given in life.