Things to be Thankful For

Last year I went on a little bit of a rant about the origins of Thanksgiving for whatever reason. I think it was largely because it was my first Thanksgiving alone and away from friends and family, and also because we were actually learning about the Thanksgiving story in class at that time. However, this year I actually want to draw attention to some of the things I'm thankful for, because I genuinely believe that if there are things and people in your life that mean something to you, then they should know it. So here it goes:

1) The Fix-Wellmans. I'm thankful for these three people for reasons that go beyond reason or explanation. These three have been here for me through thick and thin. They're friends, advisors, drinking buddies, and they aren't afraid to point out the opposite side to a coin when I'm determined only to see the side that looks the best. I'll be missing you guys this Thanksgiving, and I hope yours is grand.

2) Chris and Melinda

These to amazing people are getting married in May and I have the incredible honor of being among Chris' groomsmen. The three of us have a long history of crack trips and silly voyages through the wee hours of the night for the glory of HSU and just because we could. I don't know any two people who can will into existence a crack trip to Boston simply because HSU is playing in Queens and then actually make it happen. Having you guys visit me across the country will always be one of my fondest memories in this cold, bitter north. When I think of these two, I always laugh and am kept warm by the memories we share. Just....don't ask what we're doing.

4) My family

Some families are messed up while others are fine. Mine has its issues, its skeletons in the closet, but we're still there for each other when we need it. There are members of my family that aren't as close as others, but that's what makes us human. We develop relationships with some people closer than others, even when we're related by blood. In fact, all of the people mentioned previously in this post, and for the remainder of it, I consider my family. But I'll take a bit to point out my brother and my mother as two of the people I'm closest to. Up until I joined the Marching Lumberjacks in 2006, my older brother was my best friend in the world. We had been so since I was too little to remember. He's now happily married and we each have lives of our own, but that doesn't change the fact that we have the closest relationship of anyone in our direct family. We don't always talk, but when we do it's for hours on end. I was not always the best brother for a while, and I owe a lot of my success to my guilt and my desire to make up for that time. I do a lot of what I do to make myself better, but also to make those who mean something to me proud of me, and my brother is chief among them. My mother and I, likewise, don't talk often, but when we do it's also for hours at a time. She always makes sure to ask about my life and my interests and wants me to know that as much as she misses me, she's proud of what I'm doing and doesn't want me to be anywhere else. It gets lonely out here sometimes, but I know that I have family who will listen if I just pick up the phone.

5) Megan McTavish

Last, but definitely not least, is Megan McTavish. God blessed me immensely when he introduced the two of us back in 2006. Little did I know at the time that I had met one of the best friends I would ever make. Megan has earned her place in my heart by always being there for me in the exact right moment that I needed someone. A hug, a friendly word, a reminder to pray and read my Bible, or even a scripture that she'd have ready for me, she always knew the right thing to say or do, whether she was conscious of it or not. She was there for me when my little brother overdosed back in 2008, she was there when my best friend lost his life in 2009. When I was scared and homeless and ready to give up my life in Boston before it even began, she was there to say the right thing to keep me going. She has earned her place in my life and my heart and no one is ever going to get between that. I was so happy and blessed that I got to share my life in Boston with her at the end of October to early November this year. I wouldn't still be here if it weren't for her or anyone else previously mentioned, and it was fantastic to share with her what she helped me make. I can't wait until our next adventure together.

So there it is. There is more that I'm thankful for, but I thought that I would draw special attention to these today. I hope you are all having a fantastic Thanksgiving, wherever you are, and I hope to see you all again soon and have further adventures and make fantastic memories. Until then, Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.