By all accounts, 2016 has been an especially shitty year with the loss of several notable and beloved figures including Gene Wilder, Muhammad Ali, Prince, and Alan Rickman; not to mention the catastrophic shitshow that was the 2016 election and everything Trump.
However, rather than focus on our losses, this thread is to appreciate what we still have (family, friends, job, etc.) and what you have accomplished this year. I'm interested in knowing what this Thanksgiving you are thankful for.
As the topic creator, I'll start:
I'm incredibly thankful for being able to bounce back and successfully enlist in the US Navy after my medical discharge from the US Coast Guard last year, and for always having the continued support of my parents, who are both still alive and happy retired together to this day.
I'm thankful for being able to overcome the stressful 2 month ordeals of Navy Boot Camp and graduated from there this past August.
I'm thankful for again being able to overcome stressful hurdles & challenges while continuing my training here in Pensacola, and as of yesterday, graduating from my 4-month long Cryptologic Technical school and finally earning my certification as a Navy CTR (whoo-hoo!)
I'm thankful that my favorite aunt is cancer free, in good health, being able to return to work again, and is the most happiest and cheerful she's been in a long time (double whoo-hoo!).
While yes, the vast majority of what I'm thankful for is because of my own determination to not give up and put in the hard work & effort neccessary to succeed, I do appreciate that this year I now have a stable career, a solid income and amazing health benefits, and that my family is still together and there for me when I need them to be.
Now to the other community members of Arlong Park, I ask what are you thankful for this year?