{November 29, 2017}

I know that Thanksgiving is over now (trust me, I've been hearing "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" at work since November 1,) but this Thanksgiving was a little bit different and sad for me.

I worked a nine and a half hour shift on both Thanksgiving and Black Friday, so I didn't get to spend the morning making corn casserole and sweet potatoes while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from the kitchen. My parents enjoyed their day at the parks but were sad that a piece of the family couldn't be there to celebrate with them. I felt disconnected from it all; I was bitter about having to work on Thanksgiving and not being able to spend more than one full day with my family the entire week. It's like I didn't have a Thanksgiving at all. Though after stuffing my face with too much food at our work's Thanksgiving potluck, I realized I had so much more to be thankful for than my closeted chefs of coworkers.

Yes, this Thanksgiving was a bit out of the norm, and for someone who doesn't necessarily like change, it was a bit disconcerting. I will say, though, that it really put things into perspective for me. It showed me that I should cherish the time that I do have with my family and friends, however limited it may be. It made me realize that the biggest blessings are often disguised in small packages of moments that God has dropped at our feet in hopes we open them with haste and hold them tightly to our chests. So, here's a few things I'm thankful for this holiday season:

I'm thankful for my coworkers, who have become more like a family, no matter how dysfunctional we are at times. I'm thankful for my new school opening its doors and heart to me, and I can't wait to be an LSU Tiger in January. I'm thankful for my friends, both old and new, for showing me that distance is no obstacle for the truest of friends. I'm thankful for memories I'll cherish forever with people I'll never forget. I'm thankful for my real family for always showing me love face to face or through FaceTime. Finally, I'm thankful for God for placing each of these blessings in my life.

It goes to show that no matter how big or small the package is, every moment counts. From nights at Freddy's after fireworks shifts to Friendsgiving dinners, cracking jokes at work to having an awards ceremony to celebrate each other, both the simple and elaborate moments are equally ones that I never will forget. I have counted each one and will continue to count them forever, for I am truly #blessed. Happy Thanksgiving.