Thankful List

For anyone who knows me, it is no secret that 2008 has been a roller coaster of a year, starting on January 1. Actually, probably about December 30th, but really, what's a few days when 365 turn out to be a darn big pain in the ass. Anyway, I was driving up to my parents' house yesterday evening, following a friend up from Brookings, munching on french fries and reflecting on The Year That Was. (I know it isn't done yet, but bear with me.) This year, the last twelve months since last Thanksgiving have made me increasingly thankful for several things in my life. When you know who your friends are, that's invaluable. And I know we disappoint each other, in big ways sometimes, but I still love them and I know they love me. Even if it all culminates in big, dark arguments before bed or in tears over the phone. We're in this for the long haul. The comfort in knowing that no matter how hard it is to fall asleep...the waking up isn't as scary as it could be.

Things I'm thankful for this year.

• My family. Because we can make each other laugh over how bad our Christmas letter to family and friends will be this year. Truly heinous.
• Old friends. Even though the two of them are in Brookings and I'm not, I know I can reach out and get them, any time I need them, no questions asked. And when we argue, over big, life changing decisions that effect us all, or over tiny details, like how to tuck sheets under a mattress (for not really being friends with each other, their Nazi-like attention to bed making would make you think they're almost meant for each other), we always make up. Just in different ways. Because, like, ew. ;)
• New friends. I met a best friend of mine about two years ago now, over my stolen pencil in a Linguistics class. Pseudo dirty conversation occured: "Give me my pencil back!" "Can I borrow this?" "No! Give it to me!" "Sorry" Wink, wink. "I'm engaged." (Obviously, I'm not the one who was about to getting married.) This friend of mine and I wound up working elbow to elbow for several months at our old jobs and he turned into a valuable person in my life, for his sense of humor mostly. And one more friend: I met this one in high school but a friend we share got married this summer and we instandly bonded over the absurdity of it. It is always comforting when you're not the only one at the wedding who thinks 23 is way too young.
• My freedom to come and go. I've been racking up some serious driving time the last month or so, going between both towns. As bizarre as my situation is right now, I haven't been happier in months. The only way I figure, is that in the whole scheme of things...it can't get any worse. Right? Right??