A List of Thanksgiving

1) I've been accepted into a Ph.D. program.
2) I have an Assistantship for that program, so a stipend and either a full or a partial tuition waiver, not sure which.
3) I defended my Thesis, need to finish revisions, but the worst is over.
4) I have people who genuinely care about me.
5) I've done a good job as Alpha Phi Sigma chapter President: I've raised more money than any previous administration, I took the largest group ever to conference (nearly 2500 miles away to boot), we helped provide for a local domestic violence shelter's victims, we helped out with Operation Christmas Child, we helped with a local thing that was similar to OCC, we did a murder mystery dinner everyone has wanted to do for six plus years but never ended up able to do so, we helped Habitat for Humanity.
6) I've shown myself to be utterly reliable to the faculty I work with.
7) I've always got my Jesus, no matter what, He is with me (probably should've been number 1, but stream of consciousness here)
8) I've got a loving mother.
9) I'll be getting away from my bastard father soon.
10) I've presented my work at conferences on a national, state, and local level.
11) I've worked on a United States Senate campaign.
12) I've helped volunteer for various things like Vacation Bible School.
13) I've perfected the art of smiling, even when I don't feel it.
14) I hesitate to say it, but maybe I have friends in real life? Just not many.
15) I'm not an alcoholic.
16) I've never done illegal drugs, other than the time I was drugged.
17) I've never touched a cigarette.
18) I waited until I was legal to drink my first sip of alcohol in my life.
19) I'm responsible.
20) I have never intentionally hurt myself (other than digging at my scalp in a distracted manner until seeing blood).
21) I have felt the peace offered by the Holy Spirit.
22) I have loved and been loved, and therefore know that I am not unlovable.
23) I will never lose my sense of humor.
24) I've talked two people out of killing themselves before.
25) I've comforted people who were grieving the loss of a loved one.
26) I'm okay at computer and console games.
27) I enjoy my job that runs out in May.
28) I know some of my online friends will be there for me, no matter what.
29) I find a solace and joy in my faith, that though often fleeting, is enough to keep me going.
30) I am a good person, no matter what some people tell me day after day.
31) I've lost about 50-70 pounds since this time last year. I was between 330 and 350, I'm sitting stubbornly at 280 no matter what I do.
32) I'm well traveled; over thirty states, but only two nations.
33) I don't speak with the stereotypical redneck accent; people don't believe me when I say I was born and raised here. (I have been told "Damn Yankee go home! Stop stealing our jobs!" before.)
34) I can sit before the Blessed Sacrament for hours and just dwell on His Peace and Love and truly not want to sin again.
35) I can stand on a beach and watch the waves for hours as well, a good reminder to me at times that my sense of wonder isn't gone.
36) The stars on a clear night sky have always given me hope, that I allow myself to feel that is a positive thing. Of course, given their role in my story of salvation...lol.
37) I've babysat for my cousins before.
38) I've been blessed to meet three people that I know online, in person.
39) I've avoided the temptation to ruin my life by partying it away like another cousin.
40) I think critically before opening my mouth usually.
41) I've got a GPS to offset my poor sense of direction, and it's so much easier than pulling off the road to try and memorize sections of a map!
42) I'm actually enjoying the Spring. It's giving me a bit of a boost to see life back and about, and to walk the trail and such at the park to see wildlife and plant life so vibrant again.
43) I will never lose my love of reading.
44) I graduate next month on the second Saturday. Dad will now be the only one without a Masters degree at least in the immediate family.
45) I have positively impacted the lives of people around me.
46) I have shoveled sidewalks and mowed lawns of those unable to do it themselves, for no other reward than the knowledge that I helped someone in need.
47) After 23 years, my mother finally finished my baby quilt she was making for my first Christmas, so I now have something to hold on to as a reminder that I'm loved.
48) I think for myself, I don't allow others to tell me what I should think for the most part.
49) I've come so far and have so far yet to go.
50) I feel a great deal more thankful and a bit better after writing out this list. It's good to have a reminder of all the good things in life that I can go look at.