When Thanksgiving rolls around each year, people usually pause and reflect on what they have to be thankful for. Mostly, people are thankful for the normal things in life - health, happiness and family. I, on the other hand, am thankful for so much more this year.

This year has not exactly been an easy one for me. In the last eleven months, I have had quite a few experiences that I could have lived without. From drama and negativity, to financial stress - to heartbreak - 2003 has been quite a challenge in many respects. But rather than focus on the stressful times and negative experiences I have been through this year - it is the positive experiences I have had and the people I have surrounded myself with that I am very thankful for.

When I went to Chicago and Ohio this year, I reunited with many old friends, and met a slew of new ones. Having been away from the South Park Digest for so long earlier this year, it was a wonderful experience to travel to two Mini-Cons and see so many members of my South Park family. Before I got the job as Digest Moderator, I knew very few people outside of my home State and never would have believed that I would one day have friends from almost every State in the Union and even from countries abroad. These friends have become closer to me than people I have known for years. And despite the fact that there are long distances between us - our friendships are as close as if we lived next door from each other. So the first thing I am thankful for are the members of my South Park family who I would never want to live without.

I am also very thankful for the most important woman in my life - my mother. Since I moved to my new apartment in July of this year, my mother and I have become even closer - if that is possible. For the last 22 years, my mother raised me all by herself and through her values, advice and positive encouragement has given me an upbringing I am proud of. Now, we see each other almost every day and are a very big part of each other's lives - even more than before. With all that I have been through this year, she has been a very strong supporter of mine and has offered me invaluable assistance through the hard times - and has been happy to share the good times with me as well. I could not imagine having to live my life without my mother's love - and I hope to God I never do. She is very much someone to be thankful for.

Another "person" I am thankful for is my "son" Beavis. I have had many pets in my life, but I have never considered one my child before. Each and every day I come home, he leaps into my arms and licks my head as his way of welcoming me home. He sleeps in bed with me and hangs out with me during the day. We wrestle and play with his toys every day and really enjoy our time together. Someone once told me that the love from a child to their parent is the truest form of unconditional love. Seeing how Beavis loves me - I could not agree more. I may not want a child of my own - but I think I have one anyway. I love that little cat and am very thankful that he is in my life.

As the end of this interesting year approaches, I look forward to a happier and more successful 2004. But despite the bad times this year, I am thankful for the year I have lived - and for the people that have lived it with me.