Thank You

In the day and age where we seemingly put focus on our personal needs, finishing things as quickly as possible and moving on to the next task on our To-Do lists, we more often than not forget to slow down and look around us, to take in our surroundings, and to embrace what we have, not what we're working towards.

I am thankful for the people in my life. The ones who are still here and the ones who have long since departed in every sense of the word. I am thankful for the opportunities that have been knocking at my doorstep and for the ones I had to go searching for. I am thankful for the nurturing, however unorthodox it may have been. I am thankful for the ones who have taught me lessons, whether it be in the classroom, or out, in school or on trips. I am thankful for those who put up with me and never gave up on me, pushing me to do more and be more.

I am thankful for the rising and setting of the sun, for the leaves floating gently to the ground at the turn of the summer season. I am thankful for the sun that shines and for the moon that lights up the night. For the trees on campus and my ability to climb (some of) them. My cat, who is nearly my equal, but for lack of communicable words and who I miss dearly each and every day. My creativity that brings joy to those who are fortunate to experience and appreciate it. My life, despite the roadblocks and potholes experienced daily.

I am thankful for those who I have met in the past three months, whether you are the cashier at the Whole Foods in Portland or the bus driver of the shuttle or the receptionist at the hospital in Berkeley. For my hallmates, my teammates, my coach. My professors and my buddy, who I will miss dearly when she leaves in December. I am thankful for those who challenge me and the ones who I challenge. For those I love and those who love me in return. For my experiences in college and the homeless men who get the extra food I carry with me into town, for their kind (albeit amusing) words of luck on my midterms.

I am thankful for the angry people, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars...for the ones who force me to do more and achieve more, even if they give up themselves.

I am thankful for the lovers in my life, the lovers of music, of art, of worldly affairs, of wine, of driving, and especially, of passion and intimacy. I am thankful for the pens and the papers and the journals and the photos that clutter my room and can no longer drive my mother absolutely insane, now that I am 1,800 miles away. The dried roses of birthdays past, the books strewn across my floor, begging to be read again. For my hallmates, laughing in the hall and the jokes we tell our RA. For the sounds of guitar drifting from my brother's room, next door to mine. For the laughter we share at jokes only we would understand. For this, and so much more, I am thankful.


Thank you.