Being Thankful...

With thanksgiving right around the corner, I figured it would be good to throw a few things out there about what I am thankful for. For the first time in my 21 years of life, I will not be spending thanksgiving with my family. It really makes me sad, but I'll be okay. I have my makeshift family at school who are taking really good care of me. That inspired me to create this. Hopefully this stirs up some holiday spirit in a few of you.

1. I am thankful for being alive and healthy. 
2. I am thankful for Allah (God) keeping me that way. 
3. For my family, because they are my biggest cheerleaders even when they don't want to be.
4. For my amazing friends who I drive insane with my constant crying, freaking out about life, boy issues, family issues, school issues, future issues, and what ever else I could possible freak out about. I know you get tired of me, but I appreciate and am thankful for you anyways.
5. Being in school and almost to graduation. InshaAllah (God willing), I can walk across that stage December 13th, with my grandmother screaming "That's my baby!" 
6. That I have been afforded the opportunities that I have, and that I will, InshaAllah have. 
7. For my mentor, who has loved me unconditionally for the past 3 years, who answers when ever I need her, who pays for my meals when she knows I'm too prideful to say I can't afford to go to lunch or dinner cause these grad school application fees are killing me, who writes these amazing letter of recommendations for me making me really question if I am truly as great as she sees me. I am grateful for Maria because when I am have a horrible day, I just walk into her office and everything else just melts away. 
8. I am grateful for Mentor Tech, who put Maria in my life. I am thankful for all that you do, every single you. You have no idea what a difference you make.
9. I am thankful for my mommy and sister. They were my first and still are two of my very best friends. 
10. I am thankful for Khairat, who is my sister and best friend by choice. I could not imagine life without you. 
11. I am thankful for everyone who told me I couldn't do something. You fuel my drive every single day.
12. I am thankful for the warm bed, roof over my head, almost full belly (I'm still a broke college student), and the assurance that Allah does not put you though anything you cannot handle. With that knowledge, I sleep peaceful at night.
13. I am thankful that my parents raised me to be a good Muslims. Although I fall short, I am a work in progress. InshaAllah, I'll get there one day. 
14. I am grateful for those of you who still come to this blog, even though I have been horrible this entire 2013 year. I tried sha. 
15. And lastly, I am just grateful. For every beautiful thing and every not so beautiful thing that has happened in my life. They shape who I am today. 

A lot of times people forget that we can't just be grateful one time of the year, or even one time of the day. We have to be grateful all day, everyday, because we never know when it'll be taken away from us. 

Well, that is my soap box for now. Enjoy you break while you can. Eat some lovely turkey and kiss you mom on the cheek for me.