Current mood:

thankful

important to me
I was going to write something of this sort back on Thanksgiving. Something that described the things I'm thankful for in life, and what truly has meaning to me. Something to cut through the superficial trappings of the everyday, and to reflect on what actually matters. However, like most of the journal entries I've planned to write in the past, I never got around to it. So I figured, "Hey, if I'm still gonna write it at some ceremonious time, why not on Christmas then?" After all, it's my birthday too, so it's a double whammy in terms of meaning ^_^; And yes, I realize that it's now the day after the holiday. But I haven't gone to sleep yet, so let's count it. I'll try and keep it short. Short for me, anyhow. And with how rarely I update this thing, I hope people will read it all... and that they will take it to heart. In that, I give you the two things that mean more to me than anything in the world:

Family. The pure and unwavering love from your immediate family is, to me, perhaps the most important thing in life. My mother and father have nurtured my life in far too many ways to count. Even though I lost one of them to death more than four years ago, his love continues to give my life meaning to this very day. And when it comes down to it, your family loves you for reasons that can't be put into mere words. They don't love you because you own lots of cool stuff. They don't love you because you're smart or funny. They don't love you because you're physically attractive. They don't even care what other people think about you. They love you because they do, for anything but selfish reasons.

And don't get me wrong, your immediate family doesn't have to be the stereotypical configuration of "mom, dad, and/or siblings." For numerous people, those direct blood relatives are anything BUT loving to them. For others, their blood relatives were lost to death, or other circumstances. To me, I see family as more of "the people who truly facilitate your ability to live, both physically and spiritually, without asking something in return." For some people it's their grandparents, their aunt or uncle, their sibling or cousin. For some people it's their adoptive parents. For some people it may be someone who started off just as a friend, and whom you didn't even meet until later in your life.

Regardless of who they are, or how big of a group they compose, they are your family. We should never forget how important they are to us. People often take their family for granted, simply because they are so overexposed to them sometimes. I'm definitely guilty of this myself now and then. But as I grow older, it helps to put things into perspective. As much fun as you may have with your friends, or as exciting as the love of your boyfriend or girlfriend may be at the moment... don't let that diminish the true love that has stood by you for countless years. I love you Mom, more than I can say. I love you Dad, and I miss you. I love you Grandma and Grandpa.

Friends. The other part of life for which I'm eternally grateful. Much like family, your friends will ultimately shape both who you are and what you will become. Not only that, but they have a constant affect on the things you do and what you're exposed to. In a lot of ways, people don't give them enough credit either. Sure, some of your friendships are going to be superficial ones. Based on selfish things, or on acquaintances only. But then there's your dear friends, the ones who you can truly say you love. I feel blessed to have many of those, without whom life would have no meaning.

We're lucky to have such a large group of truly close friends here in Chicago. We came together almost six years ago, a time when a lot of us were ready to finish high school and start our adult lives. We came together because we were truly kindred spirits, not just due to circumstance or proximity. And over those years, our bonds have only grown stronger. We've shared some of the best and worst days together, but through it all our friendships have endured. Though we often take it for granted, again much like with family... we have something that is rare and worth cherishing. I love you all.

Over the years, we've also added people from numerous other states; showing again that proximity isn't the only thing keeping us together. And then not to mention many of my friends from out of state that I'd never have known if not for the internet. They shouldn't feel left out, and every single one of them is a vital part of my life. I won't start naming names, because it would just leave me babbling on even longer. But you know who you are, and there's no reason to hafta type it out. Above anything that could ever be said or done, I care about you deeply. Never lose sight of that.