Thanksgiving

When I think over my life briefly during this Thanksgiving, there are a few things that stand out the most. The first is my family, and my home.

When I read the book Dreamland, about a girl named Caitlin whose boyfriend beats her, her family was just like mine. Her mom was a cheerful talkative woman, just like mine, and her dad was awkward but friendly, just like mine. She even had an older sister who left, just like my older brother who left for college. I remember thinking her house was so cozy with all the love and friendliness her family had. I didn't just think it, I knew it. Because that's just how mine is. When Caitlins boyfriend, Rogerson, starts abusing her, the author wrote it so well that you could totally feel her hurt and depression. I remember CONSTANTLY wanting her to go to her house and envelop herself in the safety and comfort her family/home provided. I do that whenever I'm super upset. I go home, and I think about how the school drama I'm dealing with can't touch me at home. Because home has my family in it. Home has my incredible mother. Home has my wonderful, protective father in it. Home has my pets, my room, my personal belongings in it. Home for me has no drama or pain. Home for me is pure love and comfort. This all sounds so cheesy, I'm sure. But my home and family are my shield against all the outside pains I have to deal with. I know that at home, I don't have to deal with friend problems or school drama if I don't want to. I have my family, and I know they love me, and I love them. And I am very, very, very thankful for all of that.

My religion -
Converting from Christianity to Wicca in 7th grade was the best decision I've ever made in my life. Dead serious. You hear people talk about how their god changed their life for the better. Until I converted, it was just words to me. Now I completely understand. The My life has improved so much since then. I'm religious now, I try to pray often, and I always feel like I have more hope than I did before. I don't talk about it much with others, it's more of a private thing for me, but I would like to talk about it here. Four about 4 1/2 years now I've been Wiccan, and the religion still entrances me. It's everything I could ask for. It motivates me to try and be a better person in every way, and it's put a spark back in my life that wasn't there before. I'm so incredibly thankful for it, you have NO idea.

Me -
When I was in elementary school/middle school, I was such a loser. Few people liked me, lots of people thought I was gross. I dressed terribly for the most part. Boys didn't like me, and I was not attractive. Then....I changed. I got better style. I got better looking (in my opinion anyways). More people hung out with me, I got a better personality. I have way more guy friends now too. You might think I'm conceited/lame for putting this in here, but I don't care. If that transformation hadn't happened, I'd still be constantly depressed I bet. Some people would still be awful to me. I'd still be a loser who few people genuinely liked. I'm so grateful for the change. I've loved my life a lot more since then, and am a happier person. And I very, very, very thankful for that.

My friends -
I don't mean to make my friends seem less important because I put them in last, I just kind of wrote things in the order I thought of them in. Since so many of my friends are different, this could easily turn into a full essay :/ I want to keep this kind of short though, so here goes: my friends are wonderful. I'm talking about the true, loyal friends I have. Not the ones who tell peoples secrets, or spread gossip. I mean the super good ones, like Kate and Danielle and Lacey. Going through high school has made me re-evaluate friendships many times. And when I thought about it, I realized that there are few who I REALLY trust. But I'm not thinking of that right now. I'm really just grateful for the friends who say hi to me in the halls. Who text me during holidays and my birthday to wish me a good one. Who come over and talk to me during class. Who trust me with their secrets. Who enjoy talking to me enough to want to hang out with me and text me. Who really notice and care when I miss school that day. Who TRY to fit me into their schedule. Who are willing to do little favors for me. Who give me gum, and sips of their drinks. Basically, people who see me and notice me, and don't just walk right by me in the halls. These people make me feel cared for and liked at school, and I am VERY thankful for it. I love you all :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!