Stephanie Jean

If you’re like my family, you’ll sit down to dinner tomorrow and talk about what you’re thankful for. That’s what Thanksgiving is all about- being thankful for what we have and counting our blessings.

Here is my list of things I am thankful for this holiday. Feel free to add your own in the comments section- I’d love to hear what you’re thankful for, too!

1. My health, and access to the resources I need to restore it when I’m feeling under the weather.
2. Clean air.
3. Clean drinking water.
4. The ability to walk into a supermarket and have a ton of food available for purchase.
5. My job and being able to pay all my bills in full and on time.
6. My parents for always being supportive.
7. My sister for being my best friend.
8. My friends for keeping me laughing.
9. My fiancé for simply being who he is and in my life.
10. The ability to travel where I want, when I want (bank account pending).
11. Tuesday night trivia.
12. Waking up in the morning.
13. My warm bed at night.
14. Being able to eat all three meals without worrying about where the next one is coming from.
15. My college education.
16. The connections I have made via social networks.
17. The full use of all five senses.
18. Music.
19. The fact that I live in a relatively peaceful place.
20. The ocean.
21. Yoga.
22. Our upcoming wedding.
23. Being able to witness my friends’ families grow from far away (thank you Facebook).
24. My right to have an opinion.
25. The people I met on the Hope and Peace retreat August 2015.
26. Christmas is coming.
27. My birthday is coming, and the fact that I will live to see my twenty-fifth year.
28. Planes, trains, boats and automobiles to get me from one place to another, and fast.
29. Sports.
30. Boston teams.
31. The fact that the Patriots are 10-0.
32. Having a washer and dryer in my own home.
33. Living with my fiancé and being independent.
34. Little moments of joy from unexpected places.
35. Having the confidence to smile at strangers.
36. The Office.
37. The fact that most of my grandparents are still here on Earth, and the fact that the grandfather I’ve lost to Heaven is looking out for us.
38. The seasons.
39. The beach.
40. Palm trees.
41. Diversity.
42. Knowing how to handle my anxiety and seasonal depression.
43. Laughter.
44. Being literate.
45. My teachers, old and new, for giving their time to help me make it through life.
46. Being imperfect.
47. Buddhism.
48. Planet Earth.
49. The moon and the stars and the sun.
50. Dancing.
51. Knowing how to drive.
52. Being short.
53. The pets that live at my mom’s who greet me like I’ve been gone ten years whenever I go visit.
54. My fiancé’s career dreams coming true.
55. My wavy hair.
56. Technology and its advancements in healthcare.
57. Nature.
58. The fact I feel appreciated at work and at home.
59. Massages.
60. Snuggles.
61. The number 61, my lucky number.
62. My engagement ring, which just so happens to be my dream ring.
63. Harry Potter and the fact that simply by reading you become part of another world.
64. Getting through life so far without breaking a bone.
65. Tea.
66. The fact I have the ability to keep my last name even after I’m married (I’m not, exactly, but the fact that I can is something to be thankful for).
67. The fact that I’m not getting sold into marriage and doing it out of my own free will.
68. All of the helpers in the world.
69. The fact that I’m still not mature enough to not laugh at the number sixty-nine on a list of things I’m thankful for.
70. Knowing that my dreams are possible to achieve, and I get a little closer every day.
71. Goals.
72. Alternative medicine and holistic healing methods.
73. The fact that I’m never too busy for a moment to myself.
74. Being introverted.
75. The way alcohol affects my body, which means I rarely drink.
76. The internet and the fact that we have the ability to access a ridiculous amount of information.
77. The ability to learn.
78. Being a Big Sister, and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.
79. Being able to send a text and get a message to someone within seconds, even if they’re thousands of miles away.
80. Hot drinks on cold days.
81. Fluffy socks.
82. Reconnecting with old friends.
83. My ability to stand up for myself and what I believe in.
84. Crying and how good it feels after letting it all out.
85. Books and libraries.
86. Gas prices are low right now.
87. Harboring no ill will at all towards those who have wronged me in the past.
88. Fruit, for making healthy eating taste so good.
89. The look of happiness on other people’s faces.
90. Pinterest.
91. Lavender, rosemary, and other herbs that smell so good.
92. The way E looks at me.
93. Knowing how to budget.
94. Being able to find the good in everything.
95. Having a voice.
96. The nights you don’t have to set an alarm for the next morning.
97. Peppermint, especially peppermint hot chocolate.
98. The wealth of experiences I have had so far, and the ones I will have in the future.
99. Love in general.
100. The fact that it wasn’t even a little bit difficult to write this list.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you enjoy your day, your families and your dinner. ❤