The season of Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and gratitude and above all, appreciating the people without whom life just wouldn’t be the same. Due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding COVID-19, it can be somewhat difficult to find the things to be grateful for, especially for those who have experienced unemployment, financial hardship, and the loss of loved ones. As I reflected upon these past couple of years, in preparation for this article, I found myself drawing my constant source of joy, stability, and love all from one thing: my family. The people who put up with my long rants about my old English teacher and pointe shoes. The people that shuttle me from doctor appointments, to dance, to school, to fellowship outings. The people that love me unconditionally, despite how many times I fail at being a good daughter, sister, cousin, niece, or granddaughter.

To my mom; thank you for supporting me at all my dance functions, buying In-N-Out for me every Friday, and for our long talks in the garden. Thank you for being my greatest role model both academically and spiritually. Thank you for making me breakfast in the morning and for stretching with me whenever I’m sore. You are the most hardworking person whom I know, and it continues to amaze me everyday how you manage to work an extremely demanding job that requires you to wake up at five in the morning, while also finding the time to make dinner for us, play board games, and hang out with your parents; and you do all this while making it look easy. 

To my dad; thank you for our long discussions over Sour Patch Kids, driving all over the place to buy whatever food I’m craving, and for teaching me to be independent. Thank you for all the times you’ve cleaned up the kitchen for me and done all my other chores because you knew I had an important test I was studying for. Thank you for listening to my musings about school friends and homework, and for all of your insightful advice. You’ve shown me what a good leader looks like, and what true ambition and determination can do. Everyone always says that I’m just like you, and that’s the best compliment I could ever get. 

To my brother; thank you for saving me a piece of garlic bread when I’m late for dinner, for playing Monopoly Deal for hours with me, and for jumping on bubble wrap with me. Thank you for teaching me how to build Minecraft houses and for reminding me how valuable innocence can be. Thank you for being a good sport through all the teenage rom-coms and Victorian era dramas I put you through. You are one of the most thoughtful people I’ve ever met and, despite the fact that we fight a lot, I still feel so proud and privileged to call you my brother. 

Thank you to all the people who have taught and shaped me into the person I am today. I love you all!