There's so much to be thankful for...

The semester (and year, for that matter) are quickly coming to a close. I have learned so much and am grateful for the experiences that I have had. 2009 has been a year of learning about myself and others around me.

I'm coming home to see my family for the holidays, and my mom has asked me to help with a musical number for her seminary class on the Wednesday of Thanksgiving week. It's called "Thankful", as performed by Josh Groban. I love this song - it's beautiful from a musical standpoint, as well as the words.

Some days we forget to look around us
Some days we can't see the joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Look beyond ourselves, there's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say, I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
We're so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each others love

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for

I think it's fitting at this time of year (although we should always express gratitude) for the blessings in our lives. I think I'd like to start now.

1. I am grateful for my family. They have been incredibly supportive, through all of my mistakes, struggles, and goals and dreams.
2. I am grateful for my roommates. They have been my family away from home, and I couldn't ask for better friends and older sisters :)
3. I am grateful for the opportunity to go to school. I love what I am studying, and love learning more about the things that I am passionate about, and have been thrilled to meet all of the people I have met over the past 4 years.
4. I am grateful that Ben is serving a mission. He is such an example to me, and I do miss him greatly. (Never thought you'd hear that, eh?)
5. I am grateful for the gospel. I would be utterly lost without the Lord's help. I know that I am supposed to be here, and I have felt His assurance on many occasions.
6. I am grateful for my friends in my ensembles who are so incredibly patient with me.
7. I am grateful for understanding professors who are willing to work with me.
8. I am grateful for music. It has been a healing force in my life, and a way for me to be expressive. I love learning about it, playing it, experiencing it, everything.
9. I am grateful for the job that I do have. My supervisor and boss are so wonderful to work with and always put the need of others first. They are such great examples to me.
10. I am grateful for Logan. It has been a blessing to leave home and be on my own for a while, to learn to be a grown up. I love my family, but I feel as though Logan is my real home.
11. I am grateful for technology. I am able to feed my Bones addiction, keep in touch with many loved ones that are far away, and find many resources quickly.
12. I am grateful for the little knowledge that I have of the atonement. As some know, almost every fall semester I have lost someone that I was close with or that meant a great deal to me. Each time, dealing with these losses has become slightly easier. I know that I am going through these trials and losses so that I can become a better person and help others, and I'm grateful for this.

Of course this list is not exhaustive, nor all inclusive, but those are things that are immediately on my mind. I am grateful for life in general - what a blessing it is to be alive, and to experience everything. I love this season, for the most part. I hate the cold, and one other aspect of this time of year, but I have always loved the fall colors, the time spent with family, and the opportunity to go back to school after a summer break.

Have a wonderful day, and remember that there is so much to be thankful for!