Dare To Be... Thankful

Today is the day we stuff our stomachs with food, and laugh in the presence of our family members. But more importantly today is the day to truly be thankful for the life we have been given, sappy I know. But it is true, we have so much to be thankful for.

For me, I am thankful for the family I have and the opportunities they have given me. My family is my everything, you could ask any one of my friends and they'll tell you I talk about them non stop. But my family is my rock, they are my comfort. My mom and dad have raised me to perservere through any pain and reach for the stars, and that is exactly what I am doing. For those who don't know me, my life took a turn when I was 13 years old. I was rushed doctor after doctor after doctor until I ended up being seated in an office at the University of Michigan. And this is when my life was turned upside down, and I was diagnosed with cancer. It was the hardest time of my life, and I wanted it to just end so badly. I couldn't bare the mental and physical pain anymore. But my parents and my family had given me the strength; they had given me the courage I needed. No matter what journey I encounter on this crazy ride called life, I know my family will always be by my side. They raised me to never wallow in self pity, but to embrace hard times. And that is exactly what I did, I embraced it. I ran a 5k just one month after a major surgery and I always went out and saw my friends. I have turned my love for giving back into something bigger and better. I raise money for the American Cancer Society, about $15,000 to be exact, and I guest speak around Michigan sharing my story with people and hopefully empacting the souls I meet. I believe God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers and I knew I could defeat cancer. That is why I am here today, 5 years cancer free leading on a normal life, all because my family gave me the strength I needed. Not only are they fearless, they are hilarious. The nights I spent laughing with my cousins or cracking up with my nana are the nights I live for. Just last night I was laying in bed with my little sister and lord we were cracking eachother up just being purely stupid. Trust me, I am one of the biggest dorks you'll ever meet, and hell yeah I am proud of that. I could cry just thinking about how much I love them. My papa is the most humble man I have ever met and every day I pray I live life like he does. He has carved out a path I wish to follow in, and I hope to become as selfless as he is. All in all, my family will always be my everything.

Life in general is a blessing, whether you think it is or not. We all are in different postions and scenarios in life, but we all have the oppurtunity to flourish. And that is another thing I am thankful for. Although I spend nights crying in my dorm bed because class sucks, and it's making me broke, I have to realize that this is such a small chapter of my life. After college the world is ours and we can do whatever we want with our lives, sorta. I know I am being a dreamer and being optomistic as hell, but hey, with enough dedication maybe I really will travel Greece and swim in an infinity pool over looking the ocean. Not to be sappy or cliche, but I really am thankful for the opportunities we are given in life.

I could go on and on about everything I am thankful for, trust me. I could willingly write a paragraph on how thankful I am for Starbucks.. I am pathetic I know. I am a joke. But I just wanted to give y'all a kick start in thinking about what you are thankful for. Because you could be reading this in January, but let it be a humbling moment to really think about how amazing your life is, or can be. It is never too late to do something with your life and whether you believe it or not everything happens for a reason... that is what I tell myself about failing math lol. Whoopsies... SO the conclude this soppy rant about my life, I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving and I hope everyone finds a passion in there life that makes them roll out of bed smiling every single day.

XoXo,

Saige