458

I never really get into the feel-good, Thanksgiving holiday mood, because my family doesn't really do Thanksgiving. (Well, there was this one time when my parents invited all our family friends over. It involved many loud, boisterous children, eating Chinese take-out off of paper plates and no pumpkin pie whatsoever. I wasn't very thankful that night.)
I usually dread when people ask me, "What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?" not because I'm not actually thankful for anything, but because I never feel like I should be more thankful. In fact, I'm always slightly bitter as the week progresses and everyone brings their turkey sandwhiches to school and all I get it microwavable dinners.
This Thanksgiving though, I do feel thankful for something in particular. My parents decided that we were going to spend some family time together this weekend, so my mom took two days off. I refused to go on one of those horrid family trips where everyone knows there's bound to be some sort of ridiculous arguement and no bonding actually happens*. Even though we didn't leave town, we still fought over something stupid and somehow, getting reprimended for waking up late is related to having a messy room.
But it did make me realize how blessed I am. I mean, my parents, as any other ones, are hella annoying, but they've also taught me a lot. I don't know anyone else who calls me out on my pride and selfishness as much as they do. And knowing that they're right most of the time pisses me off, but knowing that they love me no matter what is comforting. I don't think there's ever been a time when I haven't asked my parents for too much.
I find that sometimes, I live my life pushing the line between what's right and what's wrong. It's so easy to have a mindset of "Let's see how far I can go with having fun and still make it out at the end of it all as a good person." And my parents have taught me that that's not what it's about. It's not about how much I can get away with without getting in trouble, but it's more about how I can live without the world revolving around me and have my heart set on God and others.
Now excuse me, it's time for me to eat hotdogs with my parents for Thanksgiving.

*The exception is in horror movies when a family takes a trip together, nearly die by some sort of serial killer and in the end, become closer. But in that case, I really don't want to go on a family trip where we actually bond.