“There’s not a thing I don’t cherish.”
– Cloud Strife, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Hailing from one of the most popular installments of one of the most famous and long-running video game franchises, Cloud Strife is absolutely one of the most famed male protagonists and swordsmen within the gaming community. In the animated movie sequel, he is still dealing with the fallout of the apocalyptic events of the game, as well as the personal losses he suffered. In the midst of his lingering pain, he has become distanced from those his closest loved ones, and such distance is easy to mistake for a lack of caring. However, he comes back into his own and, during the climactic final battle, when his enemy mockingly asks him what he cherished, what can still be taken from him, this is Cloud’s response.

This is what gives him strength to keep fighting: what he still has in his life to be thankful for.

This week, my country celebrates Thanksgiving. Though we often quickly forget to stay thankful, I still appreciate the spirit of the holiday. As such, I wanted to express my own gratitude for everything with which my life has been so richly blessed.

I cannot exactly say that there is not a thing which I don’t cherish, but I can reasonably say that there is not a thing which I won’t have cherished at some point.

I was born in a land that was good and free. I was raised by two loving parents who did their best to teach me right from wrong. I have always had access to everything I need, and I have lived in relative comfort for most of my life. I have always had a roof over my head, a warm, soft bed to sleep in, clean water, good food, and clothing. I was educated as a child and I went to college, though the latter may not have resulted in any degrees for me. I have lived my life constantly surrounded by a sea of stories to consume and learn from in every available medium. I have enjoyed advanced technology that we take for granted as much as the clean air I have always breathed. I actually have more stuff than I strictly-speaking have space to put it all in, and I have very-possible ambition for more, especially in regards to my personal library of books, DVDs, and music. Oh, the music! There is so much music and art produced, so much beauty and meaning to be found! I have enjoyed the fruits of countless people’s countless hours of labor and sacrifice, manifesting in everything around me from simple pencils to sweet candies, from electric devices which handle laborious tasks like laundry to the wonders of transportation, from effective hygienic products to the miracle of modern communication, the internet. I have my dogs, and have almost always lived in a residence which had pets or livestock which I could bond with. I have real friends who saved me when I was lost in the darker hours of my life. I have a worthy, loving family, and I am grateful for every moment I have with them. I have the blessings of truth and hope within my life. I have a job, which is not to be taken lightly in this economy. I even have all the struggles and pains of my past, which have made me stronger, wiser, and more caring. I have all the wonders of nature and all the marvels of man at my fingertips. I have this blog, where I can be and share myself with the entire world.

And that’s just what I can think of off the top of my head.

I have so much to be thankful for. I could never name or count all of my blessings.

What of you, my wonderful audience?

I would love to hear from you what it is you have to cherish in your life.