11 Things We’re Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Twenty-Something Tuesday

“What are YOU thankful for?” used to be a torturous parental interrogation tactic for which the only valid response was “I don’t know, pie, I guess.” But as we get older, we have more and more to be thankful for. Maybe because the less awesome aspects of our lives tend to highlight the good parts, or maybe because we start taking action in creating or affecting things to appreciate in our young lives. So while millennials are constantly labeled as “ingrates,” we are, in fact, very grateful. Here are some of the things we at LD are most thankful for.

NATALIE

In my senior year of college, I’m thankful to be surrounded by a supportive friend group that eases my fears of graduation. Because otherwise I would be bouncing between full-on panic spirals about the meaning of adult life and probably start crying on my diploma in June.

I am thankful that I’ve learned enough self-control to prevent myself from buying eggnog (and other assorted Christmas paraphernalia) until December 1st.

AMY

I am beyond grateful for my husband. Corny? Absolutely. But being married to your best friend is entirely possible, and knowing that you get to dork around with your partner in crime for (hopefully) the rest of your life is pretty damn great.

KATIE

My animals make every single day better, even when they’re driving me nuts. Their excitement to see me every day, sitting on my feet while I work, complaining loudly about the squirrel population, or just cuddling up next to me makes even the worst days better. They give me love, support, and joy and a life without them wouldn’t be one worth living. Having just lost my oldest friend, my Lab Ellie, this week makes me all the more grateful for the time I have with my critters. It’s precious and fleeting and makes me want to hug them closer all the more.

LIZ

I am so grateful for my loving and supportive parents and the loving family I have joined by being with my boyfriend, Peter. I feel blessed to have a roof over my head and some relative financial freedom to be able to travel a bit and explore my own interests. And I am so grateful to have joined the LD community this year. There are so many amazing people I have been connected with just because I worked up the nerve to submit my writing somewhere for the first time.

ERIN

One of the things I am most aware to be thankful for this year is my health. Sure, I am always thankful around this time of year that I do not suffer from allergies, but watching fellow LDer Melissa document her everyday struggles with a chronic illness has made me more acutely aware of how lucky I am to even get out of bed in the morning, much less not have to regularly deal with our heath care system. I’m also thankful for the Internet, despite all its faults, for creating communities (like the Lyme community, or LD) that would otherwise not exist. You can read about Melissa’s journey at www.lipstickwarpaint.com

TAYLOR

Within the Literally, Darling community, I’ve found like-minded souls who have a limitless ability to support and encourage each other. I’m thankful for their support this Thanksgiving.

KRISTIN U.

I am so grateful for my little world of love: my husband, my dog, my bunny, my mom, sister, and my friends. To be healthy and surrounded by such amazing people is a blessing.

JULIA

I’m thankful for spring-like weather in November (70 degrees?? What is this?) and long jogs with Taylor Swift…music.

I’m also so so thankful for my friends… But not in a cliché way. I’m thankful for them on the worst days when I rip my shirt running out the door, it’s a Tuesday, and our apartment is out of dish soap. I’m thankful for nights spent sipping cider and munching on pretzels when there’s far too much work to be done and the world is ending. Yeah, I’m thankful for my friends. I have the best ones.

KIRSTIE

While this year has been tough emotionally, personally, and financially, I am overwhelmed by the support that I receive on a daily basis from my family, my friends, my pups and my boyfriend. I am so thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful people (and dogs) who make every day worth working toward. On top of that, I have to give a shout out to the LD writers and editors (specifically my co-editor for LD Entertainment, Lindsey) for always having my back and helping me no matter what!

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR ON THIS THANKSGIVING

These past few months the news has been rather horrifying. Filled with countless examples of a broken justice system, countries on the brink of war, and a constant reminder that terrorism is thriving instead of on the wane. It’s hard to find the good in the world right now. It’s easy to sit around  and list off all the things that are wrong in the world, all the problems that go unnoticed and unfixed, and everything inspiring anger and rage. The world is not a pretty place and while Thanksgiving may be a time to reflect on the good, too often we’re bogged down with just the hassle of pulling it off. It’s simpler, more efficient to simply skip the touchy-feelies and get on with life.

To stop and care, to see the good, to decide to act instead of going on with our lives is a decision we have to make every day. It’s not reserved for an hour around the dinner table once a year. It’s something that as the generation coming of age in this world, the onus is on us to care. That’s why University of Virginia students took to the streets to Take Back their campus and demand change after the horrifying Rolling Stone article came out last week. It’s why we’re not blindly accepting the decision from Ferguson last night and are having conversations about race and privilege in our society. It’s why when we’re outraged we take action.

So this Thanksgiving, be thankful, but more importantly, care. Care about the world even when it feels like there’s no hope, because that single ounce of feeling will be the light through the darkness, illuminating your table and the people you love around you. Let that love sink inside you and share it with the world. It needs all the love it can get.

Editor-in-Chief 

Katie Racine