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What I am thankful for

Christina Laderoute
Connector Staff

Well, it’s that time of year again where everyone is asking each other what they are thankful for. I guess it’s my turn. I am thankful for all of the opportunities and experiences that have presented themselves to me this year.

As a singer, I am thankful for the crazy things I did this year. Some of which had seemed nearly impossible a year ago. In September, I had the honor of performing in Florida at a 3-day music event called Night of Joy. Over the summer I played at a music festival up in New Hampshire called Soul Fest, and that was an amazing experience. Every weekend, I sing at my church and I have also recently become a member of The Hawkettes, one of UMass Lowell’s a cappella groups.

Over the last few months, I have put a lot of work into my photography business and it is slowly but surely growing. It is so exciting to see it grow from nothing to a self-sustaining business. I photographed my first wedding and it went extremely well. I am proud of myself in all aspects of my photography because I can look back to a year, or even a few months ago, and see the improvement from my current work. It is so satisfying.

This past year, I have definitely grown as an individual. I may still not know what I want to do with my life but I am one step closer which in hindsight is truly a blessing. I am thankful for the opportunity that I have been given to pursue an education, and I am thankful for my parents for believing in me and funding my education. I know others are not so lucky, and I try my best to not take it for granted.

I am incredibly thankful for all of my friends, new and old, that I have had the great pleasure of having in my life this year. There is that saying that everyone you meet is either a blessing or a lesson, and I can truly say that everyone I have met throughout college is a blessing to me. There are days when I cannot bring myself to get out of bed, or go to class and I know that my friends are there for me no matter what. Whether I am in a good or bad mood, they will be there to listen to me and help guide me in the right direction.

I am thankful for my family; my crazy, wild, and sometimes obnoxious family. I suppose that I can’t live with them and I can’t live without them. I am so thankful for my sister, the brightest star in the sky. Her humor never fails to put me in a better mood. Her drive and ambition to provide for herself and her family is inspiring, and I hope to one day be like her. My three nephews, words cannot describe my love for them. Thankful doesn’t begin to explain what they mean to me. I could sit here all day and try to tell you how amazing they are but it wouldn’t do any justice. My brother-in-law, such a great guy. I’m thankful that he is an amazing man and treats my sister with the respect that she deserves. I also am glad the he shares the same creative brain as me and is always coming up with really cool ideas. I am thankful for every member of my family but there are too many to go through one by one.

One of the things I am most thankful for is my hedgehog, my son, my hoglet, Finley. He just turned two, and I have had him for a little over a year and a half. He doesn’t fail to bring a smile to my face. He is honestly the most precious little guy on the planet. He is really shy and doesn’t like people that much, but he loves to cuddle with me and it brings me a lot of joy. I also have 3 gold-fish and they are pretty awesome too.

The most important thing to me though, is my faith. I am beyond thankful for the love that the Catholic church has brought into my heart. Throughout my life with ups and downs, I have not known a love so pure as the love of God, and I will never be thankful enough for it.

This Thanksgiving season, I encourage you all to think of the things you are thankful for, it will really put your life into perspective for you.

Christina Laderoute

Music photojournalist. President of UML's student-run record label, Seven Six Records.

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