(Allison)

I'm thankful that the Chicago weather has finally gone cold. I'm thankful that being my fourth year here I know that it never last long and I like the surprise of wondering if every morning I will wake up sweating or shivering.

I'm thankful for playlists I made long ago that still ring relevant. I'm thankful that even though they were about other times of confusion and transcendence and wondering and wandering, they help me cope now. I'm thankful that I feel more confused than sad and that I'm the type of person who lets myself feel this wide range of emotions. I'm thankful that I fall hard, even though right now I don't believe we won't end up together. I'm thankful that he has found someone who he makes him feel like he makes me feel, and I'm thankful I can be happy as well as dissapointed rather than just because of it. 

I'm thankful that though the world feels failing, I am started the school year off a little more financially stable. I'm thankful for babysitting and the joy those kids bring me.

I'm thankful to Friends; for sitting in the last year of shit and grief and fear. I'm thankful for couches to cry on, for hands that hold, for friends who are there even though and when it is fiercely uncomfortable. I'm thankful for my friends renting a van and coming 10 hours to be at my dad's funeral. I'm thankful for mike even though our relationship doesn't seem what I want it to be. I'm thankful for going to nature today and the ability to travel. I'm thankful for being able to see new places and knowing this isn't end. 

I'm thankful to know, but importantly feel that this too shall pass. 

- Allison (9/2/17).