How do you give thanks? Do you stay quiet and blush, too shy to speak your gratitude? Do you embrace in long enveloping bear hugs crushing away any doubt of insincerity? Do you simply say “thanks”, knowing that your sincerity is conveyed simply and straightforward?
Because I’m not sure how to give thanks, to you all, for simply being there.
November was the month of ‘thankfulness’, but I feel that should be December. This is the final month of the year, the final month to create new incredible memories and bonds in 2016.
I have a lot to be thankful for and since I’m a soppy ass, I’ll name them!
OSU West hallians (Benjamin, Noah, Kevin, Corey, Jessica, Andrew, Christina, Calvin, Christiana),
OSU Cycling (Connor, Robert, Zach, Canten, Kellson, Adam, Simon, John, Jimmy, Matt, Kim, Ben (Ebony Falcon), Victoria, Kali, Austin, Grant, Duncan, Nick, Ian, Hayden, Julian, Ben (Da MTB Shredder), Rutger, Scott, Randall ).
Other OSU shitshows and affiliates (Maxx, Jennifer, Nawaaf, Will, Soe, Amanda, Hamada, Mika, Tomena, Brady),
CRF’s and all Social Justice Warriors, all SCA folk, and all my new Cardiff Mountaineering Club family.
I am thankful for more than these people who bring me such joy, I am thankful that I have the opportunities to pursue all that I love. I love biking, climbing, hiking, running, watching shitty horror movies, trying new adventurous food (usually to the horror of my house-mates), and creating ever stronger and broader friendships.
Christmas has always been a very special time for me. As a kid with separated parents it was a time when we were together. If I had to make a patronus, I’d remember to when I was around 10(?) and came out Christmas morning to a large blanket-wrapped gift under the tree. At Mom’s encouragement, we tore into it, pulling away layers of blue knit fabric to find Dad underneath, who emerged to swallow us in a warm bear hug of pure happiness. The love, joy, and squealing laughter of that morning is what I think of for Christmas. Christmas is a time for family, and not just those of blood. It’s a time to surround yourself with everything that warms your heart and gets you closer to feeling that 10 year-old immeasurable joy again.
It may sound soppy, but I’m going to love the shit out of this holiday season, like every year, in a vain attempt to stay connected to that joy. I’m going to listen to Christmas music everyday, draw reindeer and penguins and shitty fir trees, and try to keep this childish glee. It’ll be hard though, I miss everyone back home a lot. I’ll be crying while thinking about the OSU Cycling White Elephant party, about picking a $5 tree from the Boy Scouts with Dad, about decorating our homely tree with Mom and Donnie (such a helper). So, send me some Christmas love this year, I’ll need it to stay positive and bright through this warm holiday season.
Make sure to kiss your family, hug your friends, and spread joy this month. Don’t underestimate all the wonderful things you have and all the things you can do to brighten your own, and someone else’s day.
Thank you all very much, I’m so thankful for you all being in my life!
Some pictures of the beloved people, that always make me smile:
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I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.
Love and hugs. That was a very nice message. You’re amazing and I still want to be you when I grow up. I’m afraid I’ve become a slow walker but still appreciate all the beauty I can get around to see. I’ll look for more pictures on fb.