Thanksgiving 2015

I don't know about you, but I feel as though Thanksgiving snuck up on us this year. I spent so much of my time and energy earlier this year being preoccupied with what ended up being the vacation of a lifetime, that the rest of the year sailed by without me noticing. I blinked and it was the beginning of October.

Thanksgiving is something I've always felt a little strange about. I suppose I never really understood it. Yes, it's about giving thanks, as the name implies, but giving thanks for what? As a child, all it really meant to me was getting together with extended family that you may or may not like and having a HUGE meal that no one could usually finish. Then you'd be stuck eating turkey leftovers for a week or more.

Once I started working, Thanksgiving lost what little bit of meaning it had. I always had to work that weekend. I didn't mind, however. Time-and-a-half on an eight to ten hour day can bring in some good spending money.

These days Thanksgiving is pretty low key. My parents and I go over to my best friend's parent's place for dinner, so there's only eight of us in total. This year, Thanksgiving has a bit of meaning to us. It sounds cliché, but I'm thankful for the life I've been given and allowed to lead. If you'd asked me 15 years ago where I thought I'd be when I hit 30, my answer certainly wouldn't have been to be where I am now. I thought I'd have a university degree, a spouse, a career, and a house. After all, isn't that how life is supposed to go? That's what Hollywood tells us, at least. I have none of those things. My life has taken a totally different trajectory than I'd expected. I've been places and seen things I never thought I would. And honestly, I wouldn't change that for the world.

So, in no particular order, these are the things I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving:

I am grateful for the support my parents have given me over the years, especially when they let me move back in with them a few years ago. Our relationship isn't always the greatest, but we try our best.

I'm grateful for my friends, both close to home and far away. I had the opportunity to reconnect with some of my friends in Europe this summer, and we had a lot of fun in Brussels and Amsterdam.

Me at the Atomium in Brussels

I also met a group of awesome people while in Mongolia this summer. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share the experiences we had with, including my 30th birthday. The trip gave me new perspectives on life and myself.

The 30th birthday cake I was surprised with in Mongolia!

My dog. She rarely ceases to bring a smile to my face with her antics and wiggly tail. Yes, she is obstinate and often won't listen. But how can I stay mad at that cute face??

She loves the fish pond!

My two jobs. Both jobs I hold continue to challenge me and make me expand my mind. They have very different skill sets, so there is always something new to encounter. Sure, it makes for a long work week, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Advances in medical science. Okay, this one may seem a bit strange. Two people who are very dear to me are each struggling through some medical issues that, while difficult, they will pull through. This would not be possible without all the advances that science has made (and is still making) in detecting and treating illness.

So, dear readers, no matter where you are, or what you're doing this weekend, take a few minutes to call (or text, if you can't call) the people in your lives that you care about. They'll appreciate it.