Being that the week of my second favorite holiday has arrived, I figured I'd write a much needed post about recent things in my life I'm thankful for. This year, Thanksgiving has a whole new meaning, and is a bit different. Recently, my beloved home has undergone a catastrophic storm, however the positives in my life overwhelmingly outweigh the negatives, and I can say with my whole heart that I am truly blessed.
In the past few months I have formed somewhat of a stable life in New Orleans: I acquired a new job, a new roommate, a new home, a new group of fantastic friends, a new boyfriend, and a new way of life. When I came down here I honestly had no idea what to expect, which I know is a cliche statement, but it's true. I not only had never been to New Orleans, I never had been to the South. I expected to be OK and to make friends and to live in an apartment and find my way around. I expected to do my year of service as best as I could, and be on my way. However, what I've encountered here has exceeded any expectations that I had before moving here. I am not only doing OK down here, I'm doing wonderfully. I not only have made friends, but I have made friends that I get along with entirely too well, and feel like I was destined to meet. I not only live in an apartment, but I live in a home. And I am no longer expecting it to be so easy to pick up and leave when I'm done with my year as a VISTA. Because of how much I love it here, I honestly have no idea what my plan is after this year, nor do I want to think about it until it's definite decision time.
I've always been happy and healthy, and at this time every year I am thankful for my happiness and healthiness. However at this point I am happier than I imagined possible. I'm not quite sure how to adequately be thankful for all of the things I am blessed with, all of the people in my life I am blessed with, and all of the opportunities I've been blessed with. But I will start by thanking all of the people who encouraged me to move here. I know it was a leap of faith and a shot in the dark, but you all told me to go for it.Of course my spontaneity helped a bit, but I really do owe credit to those who have supported me in all of my crazy endeavors in the past and present.
I especially owe heaps of thanks to my mom who has sacrificed so much to allow me to be able to participate in my travels and service trips. My trips to Belize and Honduras cost an arm and a leg, and frankly they were her arm and leg, with the help of some fundraising. And although moving down here wasn't as much money as my foreign adventures, it definitely was a good chunk of change. My passions and my goals are what keep me going and I strive to achieve them constantly, and the support I receive from my mother is truly incredible.
That's not to say the rest of my family hasn't supported me. They have. And I thank every single one of you from the bottom of my heart. I know I'm a little bit crazy at times for picking up and moving from place to place, or traveling from place to place, but thank you for letting me do so with little to no judgement.
I'm also thankful for New Jersey. Sandy was a real bitch to us, and in just two days I will have to face a reality that I've been putting on the back burner since I'm so far away--my island is destroyed. But in two days, I will have to see it myself, and the logic "out of sight, out of mind" will no longer apply. I'm terrified to face this reality and am obviously still devastated by the storm, but the storm has also made me realize how many more things I am thankful for. I am thankful that I still have a home--granted it's a little wet, but it's still standing. So many of my friends have lost their homes and my heart goes out to all of you. I am also thankful that only some material possessions need to be replaced and that my family is safe. Although my sister and her boyfriend have lost a great deal in the flood, I am so happy they were in a safe place. I am also thankful for the close-knit community that is Lavallette. Everyone on the island has come together to work towards the goal of restoring the shore. Many of my friends have already volunteered countless hours and efforts to doing so, and I'm so proud of you and greatly appreciate the time and energy you are putting into restoring the most important place in the world to me.
The most important lesson that I've learned while being here is that no matter how hard of a day I think I'm having or how much of a bad mood I'm in, I'm always so much more fortunate than most people. A lot of people I encounter in this line of work really are warriors and survivors. From sleeping on the streets to fighting for their lives every day, these people have inspired me to be strong. Strength is something that I think I have lacked in previous years, but I have made a vow to remain strong and positive, because no matter what is happening in my life, I always get to go home to food, a warm house, and a comfortable bed. Although these are common luxuries amongst my friends, they are not common luxuries amongst the people I encounter here on a daily basis.
Additionally, I had the pleasure of attending the Marine Corps Ball this weekend. In the pamphlet, there were multiple pages of names of Marines who had lost their lives.There was also a beautiful presentation and a moment of silence for the fallen. Of course, if you know me, this made me tear up, and rightfully so. I'm so proud of those who are so selfless and brave. And I am so thankful for those who put their lives on the line so that my life and my freedom can remain in tact. Being alive in and of itself is something I am immeasurably thankful for.
It is incredible once you sit back and analyze your life how much you realize what you have. I sometimes complain about how broke I am, or how I walk to work every day, or how much I have to get done at work. Then I get myself in check and realize that I can afford rent and food (with a little help from the government), that I have the ability to walk to work, and that at least I have a job to go to.
This week, please be sure to make an effort to be thankful for the things that are commonplace in your life: education, shelter, food, health, family, friends, and happiness. These are what hold us together and what keep us trucking along. Regularly I encounter folks who are lacking some of these, and many who are lacking all of them, and let me tell you, they would give anything to switch places with you. Don't take it for granted.
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