Giving Thanks

I complain a lot about a good deal of things, but the truth is I have a tremendous amount to be thankful for.
Thanks to my family. They’ve worked hard and made a lot of good decisions, and it’s because of them that we are able to have a nice dinner tonight, in a warm house. They’ve given me the opportunity to mess around in college for a few years while I try to figure what I want to make of myself in this world, a luxury most people can’t afford. They’ve supported me, allowed me to investigate my interests, and taught me to think for myself. Thank you Mom and Dad (and even Traci). 

Thanks to my friends. When my family doesn’t quite cut it, you guys are there to fill in. To ask for friends like you would be incredibly selfish and I probably don’t deserve it, but you’re there anyways. I know that I’ll stay friends with some of you for life, and that’s something special. I’m also fortunate to live in a time where I can stay friends with people over large distances, talking to them on skype and connecting over facebook.
Thanks everyone.

I’m fortunate to have been born in a country where all kinds of people are fighting to protect my freedoms. Thank you to the Marines, the Air Force, the Army, the Navy, and all other branches of the military. Thank you to the police. Thank you to the protesters, living embodiments of freedom. Thank you to the government officials, however few, who truly do their best to serve the people they represent, and who fight corruption. Thank you to my teachers, especially the ones that have truly cared about teaching enough to make me take learning seriously.

I am who I am because of all these people’s hard work. Thank you.