I apologize in advance for what, to some of you, may seem the ranting of a nostalgic and pathetic senior.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they think about what they’re thankful for. Specifically, it’s the third Thursday of November. Yeah, Thanksgiving is coming up, and it’s time for the inevitable flood of “I’m so thankful” columns. So sit down, shut up, and read my freaking column.

As I look back on the first semester of my probable last year at the University of Massachusetts, it’s viewed through the film of multicolored gelatinous cubes infused with the finest of cheap vodkas. It’s a kaleidoscope of places, mixed together with laughter. It’s solving a mystery of history in the Amherst Jones’ Library. It’s learning about things that I’m interested in, and working at a newspaper that has become almost an obsession.

I’m thankful for a lot of things in my life. With the recent events that changed our world forever, I’m sure all of us are a bit more thankful.

It’s sad to think that it takes the sudden death of thousands for us to become more appreciative of what we have. Thanksgiving this year is guaranteed to be more than just turkey and stuffing. It’s more than just a few days break from class. It’s more than an excuse to skip class Wednesday. This year, more than any other, is really going to be a time for everyone to count his or her blessings. We’re thankful just to be alive.

We’re thankful that we’ve been able to see the sun rise. We’re thankful that we can hear somebody say ‘I love you’ and really mean it. We’re thankful for every little thing that happens, because at least it’s happening.

First of all, without a doubt, I’m thankful to be alive. That’s saying a lot. Secondly, I’m thankful that some other people are alive. Namely, my friends and family. The order of that is important. With family, you’re obliged to care about them. They’re blood. But you get to choose your friends. You get to decide who you spend your time with in college. Who you hang out, chill, kick back, visit, be with is your own choice. That’s really cool, and I’m thankful for the options. I’m thankful for the friends I have, and I’m wishing that some were actually related – make the bond between some of us that much closer. There are friends of mine, people I’ve known for years, who might as well be family. I trust them more than some of my family members, and they’re usually the first ones I go to for advice. My friends may be closer than family. They’re great, as I’m sure your friends are. So that’s the first assignment: tell your friends how good they make your life.

My family’s next. I’m glad we’re still together, and we’ll actually be expanding when my Uncle Rich weds his girlfriend on Saturday. I’m thankful that he’s found someone who makes him happy. This leads me to the second and third assignments, class. First, tell your family that you love them, and that you’re glad that they’re around. Secondly, if you’ve found someone who makes you happy, damn it, tell them.

It’s no good to have someone in your life that makes you feel invincible, whose very breath you envy, because it gets to be with them in such a close way. All y’all who have some one know what I’m talking about – someone who not just rocks your world, they are your world. Their very presence could make Hell pleasant. Tell them so, you moron.

Moving on, I’m thankful that I get to work for the largest college daily in the Northeast. I get to see my name in the papers everyday. How cool is that? I get to put nationally syndicated columnist on my resume, cause I’ve been picked up by the wire. I’m thankful because I have a really cool job – I get to decide what’s important for you to know. I can control the information. Insert the evil laughter here.

What it really boils down to, though, in the words of Nelly: I’m thankful that I can make a living off my brain instead of ‘caine now. After decades of Campbell folk breaking their backs for a dime, I can write a few words and get paid mad cash. Well, not from the Collegian, but other papers have paid me. I’m incredibly thankful that I can write and feed myself.

And finally, I’m thankful for the feedback I get, good and bad. I like hearing people tell me my columns influence them. Hatred, amusement, I don’t care. I think it’s cool just being able to write something and have someone have a reaction to it. One of the greatest things that has happened this semester is to have one of my friends tell me that whenever she’s feeling blue, she reads my “Hangover Paranoia” column and it always makes her laugh. I’m thankful I can make people laugh.

So to all you folks out there, making plans for the upcoming break; make sure that you reflect on what you are thankful for. If it’s a person, tell them how important they are. If it’s a thing, treasure it. But somewhere between the turkey and the after Thanksgiving sales, think about how lucky you are to be alive in such a world, and how cool it is to hear someone laugh at one of your jokes.

Pass the cranberry sauce, please.