Thanksgiving and New Years are the two times of the year that I routinely sit down and think about my life and the things I've accomplished and all I hope to do in the future.
Thanksgiving is when I reflect on my life thus far and smile at the memories. New Years is when I think back on the year and all I've done and then look to the future and figure out what I want to do and who I want to be at the end.

This year, I wasn't able to be with family on Thanksgiving day. The first in 24 years. So the day feels off. Like it's not actually Thanksgiving. I'll be going home this weekend to celebrate with my family, but it's just not the same unless I'm with them.

But I didn't spend this holiday alone. An old coworker from my old job invited me to her Thanksgiving dinner she does with her husband, son, and her mother. My coworker is like my second mom. I absolutely love her and her amazing heart. I wish I could say how truly touched I am that she thought to bring me. I always think the holidays are for family. And it means a lot that she considers me close enough to family to allow me to spend it with the people she cares most about. I will forever cherish this moment.

I had a good time. The food was good, and I love spending time with her. Her husband is nice enough. Although, he kept asking questions about Joe, which was a little weird. Like, a lot. We'd be on some other topic, and he'd start in on something about Joe. Although, I loved it when he asked me if we were still together and I said no, and he's like, oh, you gave him the boot, did ya? And I had to say no, Joe dumped me, and with all seriousness, he asked me if it was because Joe liked boys instead. It never even occurred to him that there was something wrong between us or that I wasn't good enough. His thoughts were that if a guy dumped me, there was something wrong with him.

I am thankful that I have the best friends surrounding me. Truly. Every single one of them are amazing people who care more about other people than themselves, and the fact that they let me in their lives inspires me to be just like them. To make me worthy of being their friend.

What are you all thankful for this year?