Thanksgiving could not have come at a better time for me. I try to give thanks every day because I have so much to live for. I love my life and all of its color, but sometimes when one is going through something that is difficult, it’s easy to forget what we already have, and all the different things that are in our favor. Further, I feel like sometimes we need to talk about being thankful more. I try to give thanks every day, but it does get difficult. I am going through the process of trying to solve a health issue. I’ve had to put a lot of things on hold right now, and say no to a lot of things that have meant the world to me. However, I’ve found out that I still have so many things in my favor. I would like to share those with you today. If I sat here long enough, I could probably write a good size book, but I’ll just narrow it down.
- I am thankful for my family. They are my rock. I feel like I have my own private nursing staff with my grandmother who has had many years of experience as a registered nurse, my sister who has taken several nursing classes, and my mother who is a care giver. I couldn’t have asked for better, even if they didn’t have all the experience they have had. We have gone through so much together, and have had so many good times. I would do it all again as long as I had them by my side. Whatever happens next, I know we will get through it.
- All of my friends and people who are close to me. Every day I am happy to be able to connect with a diverse group of people from all around the world. I have learned so much from my friends. They make me feel like a queen, so I try to do everything in my power to make them feel special when we are together.
- The National Federation of the Blind. Through this dynamic organization, I have learned not only the skills of blindness, but what it means to be an activist. We have written letters together, marched, spoken to our nation’s leaders, and celebrated our successes. We are changing what it means to be blind. Through the federation, I have seen different parts of the country, met some of the most amazing people I know, had once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and gained my independence. I can’t wait to make more memories together.
- I am thankful for school and everything I have learned from it. Higher education isn’t for everyone, but ever sinse I was little, I somehow knew that I would be pretty happy spending hours in the pages of a book, listening to people speak, and sharing what I have learned with the world. It does get rough and sometimes it feels like there is no end in sight, but with the help of my peers, the idea that I will someday have the certificates and degrees I want, and perhaps a bit of coffee or tea, I can climb higher.
- I am thankful for my job. I have learned so much from it, met so many people, and gained experience in the workforce. I cannot do this job forever, but I feel like I will always be able to help people with their writing.
- My clientele. These days, I am working with people both in and outside of school. I get a lot of inspiration from the students I work with. It brings me great joy when a student is no longer afraid to use their voice and write a strong, beautiful essay. I love to see the enthusiasm when someone has figured something out for themselves and has realized that they actually can write.
- The theatre. As an actress, I have felt all of the human emotions. Heartbreak, joy, love, and that indescribable feeling that you get when you have found where you belong and have created something wonderful that you can share with the world. I may not be a professional, but I will still look for opportunities when I can find them.
- Horses. I feel like I don’t need to go too deep into this one because I have attempted to explain the immense power behind these majestic creatures in several posts. What I will say though is that with each new animal I work with, I learn something new about myself. I am forever grateful to be able to work with these gentle giants who give back much more than they take.
- Animals in General. I don’t know what it is, but they just seem to know about the important things than we do. They have been interesting to me sense before I could talk.
- Music. What is life without a song. I think we all have a time where it’s better to just turn on the music or grab an instrument and start putting notes together and see what happens.
- Books. If reading about places counted in the same way as visiting them, I would be able to tell you that at the age of twenty-two I have traveled the world several times, seen the future, and have spent my evenings with several historical figures. Of course this is not the case, but I am glad I have a place to escape to when life seems to be cold.
- My home. I have lived elsewhere before, but I have always come back to this house. We moved here when I was four and the land and the neighborhood have watched my sister and I grow up. I know that I will move on which is a good thing, but our little patch of land will always be a part of me no matter where I end up.
- Access to quality medical attention. Health issues are tricky to say the least, but when they happen, it’s nice to know that I am able to get things that will help me.
- Technology. without the powerful tools that I use today, I don’t think I would have had some of the experiences I have had. It would be much harder for blind people like myself to access the vast world of information let alone connect with other. Technology has opened a lot of doors for people with various types of disabilities. It is important to me to help make sure that it is accessible to everyone who wishes to use it.
- Evening conversations with friends. Nothing compares to a late night chat with someone to whom you haven’t spoken with for months.
- Laughter. They say it is the best medicine, and I agree. One could be having the worst day, but laughter makes it all worthwhile.
- Spending quality time with friends. There is nothing like a weekend filled with laughter and fun.
- The ability to educate others about blindness. In a lot of cases, I am the first blind person a lot of my sighted friends have met. I am glad I can show them that blindness is not a big deal, and that blind people are capable of the same things sighted people are. Having strangers ask random questions sometimes gets annoying especially when one is at dinner with a friend or the like. I would rather people ask questions than believe the age-old stereotypes that have been tightly woven into society.
- My town. This town has watched me grow up, leave home, and make a life for myself. I will leave it, but when I do, I hope I have left it better than when I found it.
- Farm fresh fruits and vegetables. When I am not in California, I remember how spoiled I am. Not everyone gets fresh food from the market all year long. Not a lot of people have gotten to grow up among strawberry fields. I love the fact that I have these things.
- A cane and cane travel skills. I can go wherever I want with these skills. I am not limited by my blindness when it comes to getting where I want to go most of the time. Transportation is still tough, but I can always navigate once I am where I need to be.
- Social media. I know that for some, it can be a double-edged sword, but for me it has been a huge asset. I can talk to my friends from around the world and collaborate on different projects. We would love to be together, but when we can’t be, it’s nice to know now that in a sense, they are never far away.
- My body. Although sometimes I feel like it is failing me, it still gets me to where I need to be. I can move around and take in all that this earth has to offer.
- I love that I always have something to look forward to. It could be as small as not having to get up early, or it could be something bigger like getting away for just a few days.
- Having adventures. My life has been full of crazy twists and turns. It’s been a big adventure. I have been rafting down rivers in Colorado in Tennessee, rock climbing, camping on a tiny island in the San Francisco Bay, and a lot more. They make for great stories. I hope to have many more adventures.
- Strangers who restore your faith in humanity. Sometimes it’s a story about someone adopting an aging dog or cat from a crowded animal shelter. Other times it’s the person who strikes up a conversation with you and makes you laugh.
- The ability to give back. I think that as a citizen we should all give back to each other.
- The people who keep us safe. Our military has fought for our freedom on several occasions, our police try their best to keep us safe by working a job that is more difficult than a lot of us will ever understand.
- Activism. I am glad that I can be part of groups that will stand up for what is just.Being able to share my writing with the world. I am not by any means a professional writer, but the ability to share my writing has and will continue to change my life. Wherever you are in your day, I hope you are getting the most out of it. If we don’t speak again for a while, I wish you and those you love a happy holiday season.
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