Thankful Season

Happy (late) Thanksgiving!! I hope everyone was able to spend their day with people close to them. I was lucky enough to be able to come home for the weekend and spend the whole day with my family. Thanksgiving for us is never huge, we just hang out and cherish the time we have with each other and I think that's what it's really about. Thanksgiving season has always been one of my favorites and I think it is one that is often overseen. We have SO dang much to be thankful so why don't we talk about these things all the time? So, in no particular order here are some of the things I am most thankful for this year:

1. My Family

My family is one thing that I can say I am constantly thankful for. My parents are my biggest support system and always have my back no matter what and I know I can always go to my brothers for a laugh or advice on anything. I am so lucky to have a family who is so close, immediate and extended. Growing up it was something I always took for granted, but as I've gotten older I've met more and more people who aren't close to their families and it breaks my heart. My family is filled with the most special people and so many of my favorite memories are with them.

2. My Friends

I am so dang thankful for all of the amazing people KU has brought me to. Being from out of state I had this nagging fear that I wasn't going to make any friends and that no one would like me. I have been BEYOND lucky and I've meet some of the best people I know. I've only known these people for a few months, but I have already learned so much from them and made so many amazing memories. And while I am loving all the people I am meeting at KU I am forever thankful for my high school friends as well. I grew up with those kids and the memories I have with them are things I will carry with me forever.

3. Down Time

This is something I for sure took for granted in high school. College is amazing as ever, but it is a constant go go go. There is always something needing to be studied or something to go to. Being able to find time for myself is something that doesn't come often, but when it does it's great.

4. My Health

I have been lucky and the sickest I've gotten at college has been a cold and a cough for a few weeks. (knock on wood) I'm quickly learning to cherish my immune system because once someone gets sick in the dorm, everyone is sick and you can't get away from it. One of my roommates has bronchitis and another one has mono so I'm hanging in there. I am also learning that placebo or not, vitamin c gummies are one of my best friends.

5. Sleep

As silly as this one may seem sleep isn't something I get much of. (I say as I'm writing this post at 1:44 in the morning...) Even in high school I had the WORST sleep schedule, despite my parents always telling me I should go to bed earlier. The secret to a good sleep schedule is something that I'm still trying to learn, but let me tell you, when I do get those full 8 hours of sleep I am one happy girl.

6. Alpha Chi

Going into college I knew going through recruitment was something I wanted to do whether I ended up joining a house or not. Recruitment was theee most stressful and exhausting week ever and I even questioned if it was all worth it a few times, but it was 110% worth it. As cheesy as it sounds, Alpha Chi has brought me to some of my absolute best friends and I am so thankful for that.

---

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." - Cynthia Ozick