Its that time of year.

I'm thankful that I have two parents who only had one child together, are still together, work, don't fight ridiculously, love each other, give me the necessities, give me excessive wants, and have given me the opportunity to be all I want to be. I'm thankful that I have a home to return to.

I'm thankful that I have a girlfriend who is extremely patient, the most reliable person I know, and sweet as can be. I'm thankful that my girlfriend is the most beautiful girl that I know. I'm thankful that my friends and family seem to have taken to her well. I'm thankful that she actually gives a shit. I know that I am going to be thankful this weekend for her caring presence.

I'm thankful that I have a best friend who has allowed me to grow up with him. I'm thankful that I have a best friend that lives with me, takes care of me, and shares the cool moments with me. I'm thankful that we've made it this far. I'm thankful that he has found a girl that makes him happy. 

I'm thankful that that girl is cool and my friend. I'm thankful that Clark and I are still friends after all these years. I'm thankful that Darrin and I are friends. I'm thankful for the years of joy that Away With Vega gave me. I'm thankful for number 5, whomever you may be this week. I'm thankful for the friendships that I enjoy now that unfortunately won't make it forever. I'm thankful for the friendships that I thought would last forever, but have fallen well short.

I'm thankful for all that I have and don't deserve. I'm thankful for the ability to run, jump, see, laugh, and play. I'm thankful for the 100 Things I Love. 

I'm thankful that I still have one grandparent around. I'm thankful that I still have the memories and stories of those that are gone.

I'm thankful for the necessities: food, water, air, shelter, and love. I'm thankful for the luxuries: peanut butter and berry granola crunch frozen yogurt, clean water, warm air, the Battlehut, and earned love.

I'm thankful that I have interests and hobbies. I'm thankful that I never gave up on my love of sports. I'm thankful that I'm not fat anymore. I'm thankful that being alone is an option. I'm thankful for the things that I know that I would not otherwise. I'm thankful that I have things to do. I'm thankful that I enjoy writing. 

I'm thankful for my time at Ball State University. I'm thankful for the Ball State Tennis Club and the Ball State Writers' Community and the people I have met through them. I'm thankful for my time spent in Swinford 301. I'm thankful for the things that I have seen, heard, learned, experienced, and enjoyed that without the university would have passed me by. 

I'm thankful for this land that was not ours.