Grateful? Grateful.

For this essay, we had to write about what we were thankful for. As soon as the topic was announced a bunch of ideas flooded my head and I immediately started writing. There is so much I am thankful for and this list doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Grateful? Grateful.

This past year has given me so much to be grateful for it’s absolutely crazy. I am thankful that I ended up going to Central and having such amazing professors. I am so blessed with all the opportunities that have been presented already and I can’t imagine what awaits me as I progress further into my college career.

My parents have literally shaped and molded me into who I am today. They are probably the most influential people in my life and I’m grateful and blessed to have them. They’ve passed so much on to me that there’s no way I could possibly list is all. Everything they do and everything they are I am so grateful for and appreciate literally every aspect of them. Back in high school I only wanted to be gone and in college away from them but now that I’m here I realize they are truly my best friends. They will always be here for me and support me and it’s crazy to imagine what my life would be without them.

I’m grateful that I went to the high school I did. My mum was a counselor and I always went to her office whether it be for food, a hug, or just to chill. Most kids would hate being around their parent almost all day but I loved it. I’m grateful she was always there for me throughout the day and I could always find her when I needed her. I’m grateful I grew up with the love and support of all the teachers and counselors at North too. We weren’t a big school, so teachers definitely knew who you were, but they watched me extra close because my mum was right around the corner. At the same time I got more leniency because they knew what was happening in my life and my character. It made me focus in class more because of that connection and knowing they genuinely cared about me is a crazy idea to think about. I’m grateful for the daily religion classes and I know my life would be insanely different now if I had gone to the public schools in my area. Because of my education, I can say with certainty that I am not only prepared for college but also life outside of the “Christian Bubble” that was always talked about. We heard about it, and we kind of understood it, but now in college I’m seeing how different the world is and I am most grateful for my senior year classes that were spent teaching me how to think critically and other topics that are actually useful in real life. From Business Character Values to Defending Your Faith I graduated more then prepared to handle life outside of North.

Another thing I am grateful is music. Music has always been such a huge part of my life and it always will be. From being in the church choir as a kid to jamming out to Fall Out Boy in the middle of a shift, so many irreplaceable memories were formed around music. It’s so amazing to listen to a song and then be flooded with emotions that meant so much at the time, and still do. The band Skillet especially has been life changing for me. It’s helped me pinpoint who I am and know that I’m not alone. I’m thankful they decided to go into music and make some awesome music that is relevant to today’s society.

I’ve learned so much from the numerous amount of customers I’ve served while working at McDonald’s. Some of them I’ve gotten close to and learned about life and other’s I’ve just learned that you can’t judge someone by how they act in the moment. They taught me to think quickly and learn people skills and I wouldn’t be who I am without them. I’m crazy thankful for those daily reminders.

I’m grateful for both my camera and my voice. My voice has always been unreliable, but those moments where it’s gone I truly understand what it means to have a voice. I’ve been quiet my whole life, and verbal communication is a bit sketchy at times, but I’m grateful I have the opportunity to talk and share what matters to me. I take it for granted more often then not, but it is truly a blessing. I’m also crazy grateful for my camera. When I first picked up a camera I didn’t think it would influence my life as much as it has. I know when I got my first SLR I was more afraid of and dreading dealing with it then I was grateful for it. It has definitely take a 180 degree shift and now I’m so thankful for my camera. It has shaped me and forced me to stop and appreciate the small aspects of life that are often overlooked. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share with others what I see and I would literally be lost without the ability to take photos.