Thankful~

This year has brought a lot of change for me.  I am living in a new state, living in a new house, going to a new school and making new friends.  Change, while it is scary, has brought some of the  greatest things into my life.  This year I have a lot to be thankful for! I am thankful that my family's move from Washington to Colorado went smoothly. I am thankful that we moved into our house quickly and without many problems. I am thankful to be at a small and structured school. I am thankful that I have made so many new and amazing friends.  However, with all of theses huge things to be grateful for, it becomes very easy to ignore little things that I have been given.  It’s crazy to think that some of the things that we use regularly, most of the world does not have access to.  This year, I am trying to be thankful for little things, as well as big things.

I am thankful for clean water.  I am so blessed to live in a country where almost everyone has access to cold, clean water (whether it comes from our houses or from restaurants).  I  am thankful that the water that we wash our hands with is clean and that the water that we take showers in is safe.  I am thankful that I have never had to worry about whether or not I had enough to drink, and whether or not that drink was safe.

I am thankful that I have a closet full of clothing.  It’s crazy to look in my closet and see all of my clothes. I have some summer clothes, winter clothes, spring clothes, fall clothes.... However, in many parts of the world, some children do not even have a pair of shoes.  I am thankful that I have more clothes than I need (and probably am able to wear).

I am thankful for my own room.  This is one thing that I take advantage of a lot.  My room is ‘my space’, it’s where I go to do homework, talk on the phone, read and just be.  I can decorate my room, I can organize my room and I can relax in my room. I couldn't imagine sharing a room with my brother for my whole life, let alone my entire family.  I am thankful that I have my own space to go to when I come home.

I am thankful for electricity. Every morning I can wake up and curl or straighten my hair. Every day, I can flick a switch and light instantly lights up my room. I can come home and turn up the heater if I’m cold.  I can cook food in the oven, I can cool food in the refrigerator, in fact I don’t even have to wash my own dishes by hand, but rather, I can put them into a dish washer.  I am very thankful to live in a place where electricity is accessible.

I am thankful for education.  School may keep me up some nights.  I may fail a test. I may get so stressed out I wish to live in the times where women could not go to school, just so I would not have to deal with it. But it is amazing to know that I am able to receive a 12 year education for free! I am so beyond blessed to live in a country where everyone, no matter their race or gender, can attended school and become equally eligible for all types of jobs.  I am thankful for school.