(Thanksgiving on Friends :) )
That said, I started my list around day 14, and then didn't do a really great job at staying on track, so I figured it'd be best to just bring it all together on Thanksgiving! 22 days of thanks. So refreshing, so humbling. I have so much to be thankful for.
Day 1--I'm thankful for the family that has taken me in for this year while I'm in school! They're the parents of a girl I went to school with at APU, who now lives back in Sacramento with her husband. I knew no one moving down here, and this couple graciously offered me a spot in their home; they're a wonderful couple that remind me of my parents. They've made me feel like a daughter, and their family has included me in everything and have made me feel incredibly welcomed :)
Day 2--I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue on with my education. I was so blessed in my time at Azusa Pacific while I finished up my Bachelor's, and now I have another opportunity in Sacramento to work towards my Master's degree. So immensely grateful for the opportunity to work toward a great career that I will love and a field I can work in for a long time.
Day 3--I'm thankful for my mom. She's seriously one of the best people I've met. EVER. She sums up everything I hope to be as a professional, a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a follower of Christ. I don't think I know anyone else as unconditionally loving and caring as she is. And I don't just say that as her daughter, but objectively. People know this about her whether they've known her for years, or just met her today. It's amazing. And what's more great than having her as a mom, is that now I also get to have her as one of my very best friends...and someone who I can share a closet with :)
Day 4--I'm thankful for my car. I continually take this for granted, but I can't imagine navigating through my day without one or with one that wasn't reliable. Still goin' strong after 7 years! :)
Day 5--I'm thankful to have been able to travel and see some BEAUTIFUL places in the world. Few other things have shaped me and given me such perspective in the way that traveling has. And the more places I go, the longer my list of "places-still-to-be-seen" gets! :) I hope everyone has the opportunity (and takes those opportunities) to travel and add those experiences to their journey.
Day 6--I'm thankful for music. I can't imagine a day without it. Sometimes it conveys emotions I'm struggling to define, or reminds me of someone/a memory I miss, or simply just brings me joy. My taste in music is rather eclectic, my iPod is a bit of a mix of everything...I love it :)
Day 7--I'm thankful for seasons. Living in southern California deprived me of defined seasons for 4 years, and now that I'm north once again in Sacramento...it's actually AUTUMN! Yay! Cool days, crisp nights, clouds, rain, and pumpkin spice lattes...so wonderful. And winter will be here soon, and now I live somewhere again where it gets cold, so it will actually feel like Christmas time! :D
Day 8--I'm thankful for my dad. I seriously can't imagine going through life without him as my father. I've always believed that there's a role that dads play in their daughter's lives that they don't play in their son's lives, and a void that no other man can fill--and he hit the nail it on the head. I've been pushed and challenged by him more than ANY other person (seriously), but he's also the one that has loved or supported me the most. And it hasn't been until I've lived away from home, that I've really realized how important and influential and great it is to have someone like that in my life...and that is something to share, and something to never take for granted.
Day 9--I'm thankful for fuzzy socks. I know that's weird, but I don't care :) My hands and feet are ALWAYS cold, and I love fall/winter because my wearing of cozy socks and slippers is totally justified. My toesies are nice and warm and I am content :)
Day 10--I am thankful for my best friends. I have several friends who, without doubt or hesitation, mean the WORLD to me. We've been friends for years now, gotten to know each other so well, and have reached that beautiful place in friendship and relationship where it's just easy. And not in a lazy, I-don't-want-to-maintain-this, kind of way--but in a we-know-each-other-so-well-and-love-each-other-so-much-that-the-trivial-things-don't-matter-and-we-simply-just-love-sharing-in-life-together kind of way. It's a beautiful thing.
Day 11--I'm thankful for coffee. Caffeinated drops of heaven. It is a CRUCIAL part of my morning (otherwise a headache is for sure on the horizon), and really, I just love it. Rich coffee + some wonderfully flavored creamer (another essential in my life) = one very happy me.
Day 12--I'm thankful for social networking. I realize that this is a characteristic of my generation, and I'm ok with that. While Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have all been the culprits behind a certain amount of procrastination, they have also allowed me to keep in contact with and informed of the lives of so many people that I otherwise wouldn't be. Whether it's catching up on life events or simply sharing something funny, social networking has allowed us to share life in a way that couldn't even be fathomed only a decade ago.
Day 13--I'm thankful for God's unconditional love and grace. SO. thankful. I'm at a loss for words to even express why. But simply letting it resonate in my soul brings me immense peace and unspeakable joy. That alone speaks to how astounding and beautiful it truly is.
Day 14--I'm thankful for my one of my best friends in the entire world, Britainne. Today is the day 23 years ago that God brought her into the world, and I'm incredibly glad He did! We are pretty much personality opposites, but we have lots of shared interests, and (since 6th grade!) have really just enjoy sharing in life together. She brings zest to my life and I can't imagine it without her.
Day 15--I'm thankful for my dog, Newton. Today he passed away, and is now getting to hang out with God (who is continuing our nightly snack tradition :)) Never have I been so sad but at the same time so grateful to have had the time I did. Part of me feels weird being so sad over a pet, but the other part of me realizes that I've had him for almost all of my remembered life--he was a part of our family and it's ok to be sad. I had wanted a dog for FOREVER, and when I was 9 that wish came true, with a blue bandana tied around his neck. I'm so thankful for the great (and hilarious) memories I'll always have, and for a buddy that will always have a place in my heart. :)
Day 16--I'm thankful for my sister. 20 years ago today my little sister was born, and I've never received a greater gift (I have home videos to prove I was indeed happy ;)) She is truly one of a kind, and also one of the most genuinely passionate and pure of heart people I've ever met. We've had our differences (fortunately, no home videos to prove this one :))--but at the end of the day, we recognize that we have more in common, and that our unique strengths and differences can be used to build each other up rather than tear each other down. She loves the Lord with all her being, and it's a beautiful thing to see. It's been great watching her grow up, and I know I will be incredibly thankful for her forever and always.
Day 17--I'm thankful to live in a free country. This one gets thrown around all year long, but it wasn't until I traveled to other placed in the world that it started to really sink in about how great our country really is. And the freedoms we have here are incredible, and the opportunities we have access to are astonishing. When I was in Egypt a couple years ago, we were talking to a few girls my age, and they told us that they'd love to go to the U.S. to visit, but that they weren't allowed to until they were married. And even after that they still had to go with their husband, if the husband would allow it. I just remember thinking..wow. I'm still so grateful and so happy to live in a place where you know those obstacles aren't in the way of living your life.
Day 19--I'm thankful for my camera. I would be lost and depressed without it. I love having the ability to capture--and print--people and life's moments. I LOVE photography and taking pictures, whether it's with friends and family or of God's crazy beautiful creation. It allows us to remember and hold on to the things that are most dear to us, even after those things themselves are gone from our lives.
Day 20--I'm thankful for a place to call home. I'm a homebody through and through. I've moved 5 times in 2 different cities over the last 5 years...and my parent's house which has been home since I was 11...is still what I consider home. Maybe it's because I've lived so many other places and haven't settled down, but I seriously love this place. No where else do I feel so comfortable and comforted. And no matter where life takes me, here is where I can always come back to.
Day 21--I'm thankful for traditions. I didn't realize how thankful I was for them until I moved away from home and started missing out on some of them. Traditions are great because they are proven "joy-makers." Something doesn't become a tradition unless it's good and it works. And they're something that is unique to each family or group. I so much enjoy hearing people talking about their own traditions, and the anticipation and excitement they bring. I love them! And I'm so looking forward to someday having a family with our own traditions! :)
Day 22--I'm thankful for a day dedicated to being thankful . It's cheesy and cliche, but really...when else do we actually stop and think about what we're thankful for. How often do we pause in the midst of life's chaos to remember everything we have to be thankful for?? If we're honest, most likely not all that often. And if we're really honest, we know that most of the time we actually remind ourselves of the things we're not too fond of. And that's why I love this day...negativity is frowned upon, off-limits, against the rules, etc. :) AND it's the start of the Christmas season, which I also LOVE LOVE LOVE! :D
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Hope it's full of lots of turkey, some pumpkin pie, and of course..an abundance of thanks :)
♥ C
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