A Day of Thanks and of Giving

A fun shot from my photoshoot with Richard!

Since the hurricane, I am slowly getting my life back on track and constantly find myself in a state of extreme appreciation. While some of my neighbors have no home or belongings to return to on this day, I am even more appreciative to be surrounded by the comfort and warmth of family and friends. My "What I'm Most Thankful For" list could go on forever, but I do have some quality family time waiting for me! With that said, here's a brief list of the many blessings God has given me:

Family- Where would I be without this kooky bunch of supporters, confidantes, and financial saviors? These people have taught me the real meaning of love and generosity. My mom has sacrificed everything to give me the life I've dreamed of and always puts the wants of others before her own. She's taught me how to have a kind, open heart and given me a strong, independent soul to emulate. Alvin has been more than just a dad to me, but my best friend. My knight in shining armor, he always has inspirational words of wisdom that help me push through all my hardships. My brother, Justin, always looks out for me and always has my back. He has shown me the meaning of loyalty. I am         eternally thankful for them.

Friends- This year has been an emotional roller coaster and I could not have made it through without the people I am lucky enough to call my friends. Not only has some amazing new friends come into my life, but I've been able to rekindle my lifelong friendships as well. I am thankful for all the times they've kept me laughing and taught me to come out of my shell and enjoy life. Now, more than ever, I am realizing how something as small as a smile, a hug, or a call/text can significantly change the outcome of your day. I am thankful I have friendships to count on.

 

Teammates/Coaches-I never knew how vast an impact being a part of a team could change my life. I am thankful for the opportunity not only to represent and bring spirit to my school, but to be a part of something so much greater than just myself. Our friendships that have turned into sisterhood aren't left at the RAC or on the football field or even on the nationals floor, it's something that carries into our everyday life and my team stays with me everywhere I go. I am thankful for our inside jokes, for the unbelievable talent on my team that pushes me to work harder, and for the long, grueling practices that have turned our team into a family.

My ability to dance- When Martha Graham once said, "To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful," I couldn't have said it better myself. I am thankful that dance has given me an outlet of expression, an escape from reality, and a goal to always work towards. I am even more thankful that God has given me this gift to share with others so that they too can enjoy the beauty and the power of the arts. 
Girl Scouts & Mentees-I thank God everyday for my little blessings. This group of girls inspire me and motivate me. I carry them in my heart every second of the day. Everything from their tiny voices telling me about their latest achievements to their little arms wrapped around my waist to their starry eyes when I let them try on my crown makes my life fulfilling. I am thankful they were brought into my life to teach me my life purpose. I thrive on their accomplishments. I am also thankful for my Cape Shore clan-Amy, Ashley, Ashley, and Emily. They bring so much pride into my life. The other day when Amy texted me, "You are like my mentor/choreographer/interview coach/best friend combined!" I melted. When I went to Emily's dance competition and saw the heart she puts into her dancing, I was incredibly proud. Thank you to my girls for teaching me how to be a mentor and a role model.

 

 

The "Little" Things- This may sound silly but I am really thankful for the "little things" in life that bring me joy- a good book, fall/winter nights, traveling, starting every morning with a cup of coffee, laughing so hard my belly hurts, hugs & kisses, chocolate, pumpkin flavored anything, Pinterest, sleeping in, football/basketball games, falling in love, fairytales, running, jewelry, cupcakes, musicals, just to name a few :)
God & His Blessings- Last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for God's love and all of His blessings. God has been keeping me busy and in that, I find that I am so blessed. The harder I work, the more opportunity He gives. Even in my darkest hour, He gives me something to be thankful for. I am thankful He watches over me and gives me undying strength. I am thankful for all my trials and tribulations because they have taught me that life goes on no matter how difficult things may seem. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I am thankful to be in school and to be exposed to so much knowledge that has helped me grow and shaped my future goals. Recently, I was offered an internship with my dream organization, the ACLU-NJ and will be working with them next semester two days a week. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to achieve so many of my dreams at such a young age. Next month, I will also be honored as an Outstanding Citizen of Atlantic County for my efforts working with arts and education. I am thankful to be recognized for my hard work, but more importantly, I am blessed to be able to share my passions with others.

I hope all of you have a safe and rewarding holiday! There are so many things to be thankful for.

Home is Where the Heart Is

I am very fortunate to report that after a long week, I am back at school with power, ready to start classes back up tomorrow. So often we forget how seemingly common, trivial aspects of our life have such a vast impact on our day-to-day routines. Things like electricity, heat, a warm bed, and even small things like a pillow or blanket can negatively affect our state of mind when we are without them. Although I am blessed my small hometown of Galloway left unscathed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, not everyone in my surrounding county is lucky enough to say the same. The Atlantic City boardwalk and surrounding beach towns, the place I call home, is now in ruins, and thousands of my neighbors are left without shelter, food, and their most personal belongings. It breaks my heart to think my mentees in Atlantic City, who were evacuated from their homes, only carrying a few small items,  now must return to an empty space where they once found solace. They all are remaining positive about the situation and are making the most of a devastating tragedy. My grandpa, the most positive man I know, lost a good portion of his property to the storm and is now in the process of rebuilding his home. My former director, Jeanne, and her family suffered from a fire, which burnt down their house and left family members in critical condition. I ask that you keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers. In this I must also note, "God only gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers."

I encourage you to take a look around and give thanks for those who are a part of your life. After the storm I was able to return home and spend some much-needed quality time with family and friends. Many thanks to my best friend Anna for housing me after I was evacuated from school. God truly works in mysterious ways and I am thankful to have had time to refocus my energy on my loved ones amidst this stressful time during the school year. We don't realize what we have until it's gone, and this is something I've kept in mind throughout the aftermath of the storm. Hold your loved ones close. A hug, a phone call, an e-mail never hurts because you never know what could happen. Reach out and donate your time to the relief effort. My dance studio and I are collecting food, toys, clothes, and school supplies, which will be donated directly to the Atlantic City school district. I am also working on a collaborative project to combine my platform with the relief effort, so stay tuned for more info. Stay safe and stay warm!