Thanksgiving Day gives us a chance to pause and reflect on what makes us thankful. I have many more than 7 things, but I tried to compress and narrow it down to just a few key points. So, here we go:

1. Family. My mom, brother, and aunt Cheryl are all wonderful people. I would not be where or who I am today without their unconditional love and support. I love you three, and I do not say it nearly enough. I am including my extended family here too, that is, the Girouxs. Those four (Ben, Anna, Marsha and Alan) mean so much to me. Thank you, too, for all of the love and support you have given me over the year.

2. Friends. My dear friends mean the world to me, and many of them have become defacto family. I started to thank each of you individually, but I will make sure I do that to you personally over this weekend. Thank you all, dear friends.

3. Mentors. I have been blessed with the best mentors a young person can have. Debbie, Nan, Jon, Jim, and Karen are chief among them. I learn so much from you each, and I thank my good luck to have met and worked with you over the years. You have done so much for me over the years, and I can never thank you enough.

4. William Willoughby. Seriously, he means so much to me. Whenever I am in a bad mood, he knows and either leaves me alone or comforts me. He is quick to snuggle, but is otherwise calm and relaxed. He’s just perfect. And he lets me dress him in homemade clothes, which he always seems to bust out of because of his massive legs. Case in point, this sweater I made him last night. (See picture above.)

5. Opportunity. I have had many opportunities over the years, and I have tried to take on as many as I could. Sometimes that adds stress to my life, but I have never regretted it. Like my mentors, I attribute many of these opportunities to my good luck, and a family that encouraged me to pursue my passion. I have been the receiver of many gifts and opportunities over the years, and I want to continue to work hard in all of them. Each time I am given a chance or an opportunity, I see it as a promise that I will do the best I can at all times. I hope I can try even harder over this next year to fulfill that promise.

6. Education. I have, again, been so lucky to have a family that encourages my education, the best schools to advance it, and friends and mentors that help me complete it. I am so grateful to be where I am in life, and to be close to finishing my master’s.

7. Living in Phoenix. I love this town. I sometimes say I could live in another city (San Francisco, and recently Tacoma, WA), but I do not know if I really could. Phoenix is not only my hometown, but it also where I have been allowed to learn from some of the most dynamic people in this town. I am so grateful to live in this city at this time. There is such beauty in this city, along with hope and opportunity. And now, I live just a few blocks from my old high school, light rail, my job, my family, many of my friends, school, and more. It’s a convergence of my past, the present, and my future. I am filled with awe when I think about it. This place is amazing.

I could add so much more, but I hope I covered the most important points. I am so grateful today, and I try to make sure that it shows every day.