As I stared up at the night sky that overlooked the gorgeous view we had of the upper fields I had never felt more thankful. That night, Ms. Merlini, our dorm head, took all the girls in Middle School up to the outdoor chapel at 9:30. At first, we were all very tired and the short 4 minute walk seemed endless but once we all huddled close together on the benches at the top we were very glad we came. This gathering was for all of us to share what we were thankful for, and enjoy some quiet time with one another. As the prefects went around saying a list of things they were thankful for, I noticed that I began to add more and more things to mine. As I continued to think of more things and sort them all out in my brain, I had not noticed that it was my turn. Under the spotlight I blanked on the entire list I had engraved in my mind and said the first two things that came to mind. “I am thankful for my loving and supporting family and the opportunity to be here at Thacher with all of you.” Everyone else continued to say what they were thankful for and then we all came back to Middle School to enjoy some hot chocolate and robin’s famous cookies. And while I was walking back to my room sipping my hot chocolate and biting into my cookie, I realized that this was a perfect example of what I was thankful for. To be able to take a short walk up to a gorgeous look out point with my close friends, to run cross country with them or even just go into town with them.

Thacher has given me these opportunities and so many other ones as well.  I have tried sports that I have never played before and I have made great friendships with people I wouldn’t have meet otherwise. Thacher has given me so many great experiences but none of it would be possible without my amazing family. My family constantly supports me in my decisions and in what I want to do. They also love and care enough about me to send me off to a boarding school across the country, because they know I will receive a better education here. It’s all the little sacrifices that everyone makes everyday that we should be thankful for. So I challenge you to think of at least 1 thing that you are thankful for everyday. And each day it must be something  different. I strongly believe that we should be thankful at all times, not just on certain days, for all the great things we have in our lives. I know I am, and I hope you all are too.