22 thank you's.

In honor of Thanksgiving, I give you 22 Thank You's.

1. Thank you, God. You've always known and will know what is best for Your Kingdom. I praise you for all the goodness, trials, and pain in my life. Always.
2. Thank you, Jesus for your love & sacrifice. You are amazing. I pray that more people would come to know you.
3. Thank you, family. You are there for me even when I need you less as an adult now. Know that you are always on my mind. I wouldn't be the person I am today without the roots I grew up with. 
4. Thank you, home. You keep my heart & head calm at the end of a busy day. You are so inviting & comfy. You give me and my friends fun memories.
5. Thank you, church. As a young adult, it can be hard to find a strong & consistent place of worship. It can be difficult to find a church in a new city. You reflect Christ's love so well in our city.
6. Thank you, Pastor Brady, for being a strong leader in the church & our city. I look forward to every sermon on Sundays because you're so real with your words & love of God. 
7. Thank you, UT. My college days have shaped me to be the person I am today. Thank you for the academic experience, as well as the relationships with individuals I would have probably never met without my time here.
8. Thank you, my kids. There are so many days that I wake up stressed or not wanting to get up and start a full day. You make it worth it. I love seeing all 20 of your faces in the morning five days a week for nearly ten months a year. Never stop learning and challenging yourself.
9. Thank you, fellow teachers, for your advice, inspiration, & guidance. I learn so much from you about classroom instruction, working in a school, and how to live life to the fullest.
10. Thank you, Dimples. For almost ten years, you've been my car that has taken me through some of life's greatest journeys. From my tear-filled trip to Knoxville as a freshman in the fall, leaving home, to my tear-filled trip to M'boro, leaving my college home, as a grown-up. From my first car accident to my first speeding ticket, you've been there. From road trips to Atlanta, Chicago, & D.C., you've let me see people and sights I'll never forget. 
11. Thank you, running. Some days I love you, few days I despise you. You keep me coming back for more each time. Thank you for giving me an outlet to let myself experience freedom & power in my body & soul I never knew I had. Thank you for pushing me to the limits I once laughed at.   
12. Thank you, clean water. When I was teaching my kids about environmental conflicts/problems in our world, they & I realized that we're very grateful for being able to get water to drink with just a turn of the knob on the sink. 
13. Thank you, doctors, nurses, & other medical specialists. With the health issues I've experienced this past year, I am thankful that you have the knowledge, skills, & experience to help so many individuals heal physically, mentally, & emotionally. Thank you for your long hours & patience.
14. Thank you, individuals in the armed forces. I live in such an amazing & free country because of your work & dedication. 
15. Thank you, any adults who are parents. You do so much for your children. Thank you for trusting them with their teachers who nurture them & teach them as much as they can.  
16. Thank you, former students. You are so sweet to remember your "old" teacher. You may think I encourage you, but I think you're so inspiring as well. Your letters, hugs, & visits make me love teaching even more because being a teacher is more than learning academics. It's about building those strong relationships. 
17. Thank you police officers & firefighters. You do so much in my community. Thank you for keeping me, my family, & my friends safe & protected.
18. Thank you, Bible. Your Word is essential in my life & so many others.   
19.  Thank you, New York City. You're so beautiful. Ever since my first visit with my parents in 2001 a week before 9/11, I knew you'd always have a special place in my heart. I love your excitement & calmness, your diversity & unity. I will see you again.
20.  Thank you, Jimmy Fallon. You have given me so many laughs. Thanks to DVR, I can watch last night's episode when I come home from a 12-hour day. You're so funny. I will have to see your show live one day.
21. Thank you, comfy couch & bed. You are perfect when I am tired, sick, or just needing a chance to chill. Thank you for letting me rest & gather up my thoughts. 
22. Thank you, children's book authors. You bring so much joy & interest to children. Your stories are loved & cherished by so many. You help those who cannot read well to challenge themselves because they love the stories you write.