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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at IUP chapter.

With Thanksgiving approaching, I am 1) very excited to eat a lot of good food and 2) show the things/people I am thankful for this year. This year has been a tough one for a lot of people, including myself. These are a few of the things I am thankful for.

  • A basic one: my family. My family is extremely important to me, especially my parents. Both of my parents remarried, but my step parents treat me like one of their own. They all push me to do my best, and are always in my corner cheering me on. I would do anything for my family, and they would do the same for me.
  • My best friends. Over the years, I have gained, and lost, a lot of friends. The friends I have now, I hold close to my heart. They support me and there is no judgement; I could tell them anything and they could tell me anything. I can laugh, cry, and scream with them, and I wouldn’t trade any one of my friends for the world (unless it is for Harry Styles, of course).
  • My cats. While I thankful for both of my cats, I want to focus on Pumpkin. Pumpkin is my ESA (emotional support animal). I’ve had for two years, and it feels like she’s been with me my whole life. I always say “Pumpkin is my soulmate”; which may sound crazy to some, but this cat is my best friend fr. I wouldn’t be here today without her, and it says a lot when I wouldn’t trade her for anything, even Harry Styles.
  • Music. Music has always been important to me, my entire life. Whether it was just listening on my headphones, playing an instrument, or going to a concert. Music is a way someone can express who they are when they can’t use their own words to express it. Music is something I listen to when I’m sad, happy, and mad; there are songs for every mood.
  • Food. While I am sure mostly everyone is thankful for food, there are some people who would say they are thankful for the food they eat, I am thankful for the food I make. I love cooking, or baking, for myself, and other people. It makes me feel good, especially whenever whoever is eating it is enjoying it. Oh, and that Thanksgiving food; I am extremely thankful for.

There are so many more things that I am thankful for, but these are just a couple of them. Enjoy the family time, and the food, that comes with the holidays. Spend it with the people you love, and tell them that you are thankful for them. Happy Thanksgiving, and happy holidays!

Jordan McDonald is the Vice President at the Her Campus at the IUP chapter. She oversees the editors and the social media team, and works closely with the IUP Her Campus President. Beyond Her Campus, Jordan has done an externship at French Lick Resort for her degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. She is also a member of Eta Sigma Delta, which is a honor society for business students. She is senior at IUP studying Hospitality Management. On top of school and clubs she is in, she works part time. In her free time, Jordan enjoys going to concerts and spending time with her loved ones and her two cats, Pumpkin and Boots. She is a Gilmore Girls fanatic and is a big follower of Harry Styles and Taylor Swift. Jordan encourages everyone to treat others with kindness and to treat yourself with the same attitude!