Hi Everyone!

I know I have been MIA for the last few weeks, I have been up to my head in school work, have been phone-less for the last three weeks (thank you mom for the long calls with AT&T and excessive amount of trips to Apple just to get me a new phone), and have been slowly working on some exciting news I will be sharing with you very soon! BUT, I did want to write a quick post (as my teacher is lecturing about the first french press made) today, as it being Thanksgiving and not being with my family for the first time. 

With everything going on in the world right now and all the hate and war we continue to witness I hope everyone remains strong and radiates love rather than hate during these times. Refugees are getting hit the hardest with all the fingers being pointed at them and being harassed, killed, and separated from their families everyday. There will always be villains and heroes, and though they may not wear scary masks and capes we know who represents each. At times I wonder, who will be the hero of all these tragedies happening around the world? Who will end the poverty, abuse, and terrorism? The fact of the matter is…there isn’t one person who can fix all the broken pieces in this world. All we can do is stand as one…and when I say one, I mean everyone.

Sometimes it is hard to remember how much we have to be grateful for, during times like these we are quickly reminded. Today I am thankful. I am thankful that I, being one out of millions of kids, have the opportunity to study abroad, living in a special city, a beautiful apartment, an amazing school, and having roommates that have become family. I am thankful that even being thousands of miles away I have the strongest support system back at home who allow me to choose my own path. I am thankful to be part of two imperfectly perfect families who know how to argue but know how to love even more. I am thankful for the relationships I was gifted to have in my life before their passing. I am thankful that I have two hard working parents that will do anything for my siblings and I. My dad who has always pushed me to do my best, be smart, work hard to get what I want, and has created a stable life for us. My mom who has always kept me grounded, let me be any person I want to be as long as I do it with love, and who will always be the most caring nurturing person in my life. I am thankful to be clothed, fed, and living under a roof. I am thankful to be alive.

So today, enjoy every minute with your family and friends, we all know that there is no such thing as a normal or perfect thanksgiving but I know everyone can look around find thanks. Tell the people you love that you love them, thank your family for all that they do, help someone in need, and appreciate the enormous amount of food in front of you. So count your blessings and surround yourself with love today!

My heart goes out to France, Lebanon, and Syria– for they are the ones who need the most love. Pray for the world.

Never have I been so thankful for the life I live…what are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Michaela