hope is a reality

22nd November 2012

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Thanksgiving

The common thing I hear from people this time of year is something along the lines of, “you don’t need a day to be thankful, you should be thankful everyday.” I am a firm believer in that and I am continually thankful for all that is in my life, but I believe that today is a day where everyone stops what they are doing to appreciate the simpler things in life with the people that matter most to them. With that being said, I have quite a few thank you’s for people who have mattered the most to me.

I am thankful for my gorgeous and loving girlfriend. Your insurmountable strength and wisdom continues to drive me to reach my fullest potential. You do nothing but constantly inspire me while proving to me that true love does exist. Right now, you are the main driving force in me continuing my education. You believe in me more than I believe in myself, and you shower me with love everyday. You make me happy to be alive, and you make life a living pleasure. Everyday is a new adventure for us, and I will always be thankful and infinitely fortunate for having someone as perfect as you as my girlfriend.

I am thankful for my strong father. I always looked up to you as a child, and you never stopped giving me a reason not to. Growing up, I saw as someone who put a damper in my plans. When all my friends were out doing whatever and I would ask why I couldn’t join them, you’d always say, “they’re not my kids; you are.” You restricted me from doing a few things that I wanted to growing up, but looking back at it in the long run it wasn’t worth the stress. Even when I thought I despised you, I wanted nothing more than to be just like you. I can’t even begin to thank you for supporting my endeavors in college. You may not have the slightest clue of what stress I may be enduring, but your uplifting words of inspiration help get me through the days. My heart cries out for the loss of your brother, and I know that you are still hurting, but I have faith that you will overcome. You are my father after all.

I am thankful for my nurturing mother. While being pregnant for me, you balanced being a nurse and going to school full time. I cannot even begin to comprehend how difficult and enduring that was for you. Growing up, you made sure that I always well groomed, well fed, and well mannered. If I ever got sick, you took off work to look after me without hesitation. It took me a while to realize it, but I soon saw that not all mothers treated their sons the same way. Even now, you constantly bug me if I’m eating right and all that. I can honestly say you are the world’s greatest mom. You and dad sacrifice so much to make sure your children are living a life better than yours, and I will never be able to thank you both for that.

I am thankful for my little sister. I begged for a baby sister, and I got one. I may have rough housed you when we both were kids and when I was a teenager, but I assure you it was all out of love. We always had fun doing the simplest of things, and we always had similar interests in entertainment. You’re making me proud of how much you’ve grown up and how productive you are with your life, and I’m thankful to witness it all firsthand.

I am thankful for my old hardcore band. All of you are the closest thing to a family that I have. You guys gave me something to look forward to every week, and we were able to pour our hearts into music while playing it to an eager audience. We may have had our low points, but we had more than enough high points to compensate. Being lucky enough to play shows with you guys every other weekend is a feeling that I can’t compare to anything. I feel like we all grew up together, and it was some of the best times I’ve ever had in my life.

I am thankful for the best friends I have met throughout these past couple of years. Through playing shows, being at shows, or just hanging out at AMP, I have met a bunch of great people with great hearts. You guys taught me that you don’t just make friends in school. Not just that, but I also learned that you guys are far more genuine than those I would meet elsewhere. I know for a fact that I made a few lifelong friendships and I look forward to seeing where the future brings us all.

I am thankful for the best friends I have in Tallahassee. Florida State University is the top 3rd biggest party school, and the fact that I have friends that respect my lifestyle is amazing. You guys have proven to me that college isn’t full of people partying and condemning those who don’t. You welcomed me with open arms and embrace my lifestyle. For your hospitality and acceptance, I thank all of you.

I am thankful for having a place to lay my head and meals to quell my hunger. It breaks my heart knowing there are people who aren’t as fortunate as myself, and I hope that I am able to bring a small change to that in the future.

I am thankful for music. When I am not able to explain myself, there is always a song to do the job for me. There have been simple songs that have kept me from slipping into depression. There is literally no way I can thank music for giving me what it gives, but I’ll continue to show my gratitude by always listening.

I am thankful for being able to walk. I spent half of a year in a cast and walking boot and realized how easily we take the simplest of things for granted. I never thought my life would be back to normal after that incident, but it’s safe to say that it is.

And last, but definitely not least, I am thankful for the ever so inspirational life of my late uncle. I will always remember you having a huge smile on your face and bringing nothing but happiness to the lives of everyone you knew. I resent myself for not being able to go to your funeral, but I think that I remember you would do much more justice. You believed in me and my capabilities more than I realized, and I know now that no matter what I do, I won’t let you down. I hope you know your family as well as everyone else misses you dearly. But I am thankful for being a part of your life and carrying your fire in my heart.

Life is not guaranteed, and it is too short to take its gifts for granted. So be thankful, and be thankful everyday.