Things that need to be said

It's the season of giving thanks, and I often don't express my gratitude towards people enough. The following is a collection of my naked raw feelings of thankfulness.

Mom & Dad - Thanks for allowing me to learn the lessons of growing up and appreciating my independence and allowing me to live my life as I want.

Will - Thanks for the wonderful friendship, even if we parted our friendship, you were truly my best friend through grad school.

Amy - Wow, you were the reason I went to grad school. You are a wonderful mother and I hope our paths cross again sometime soon.

Mel - Thanks for the inspiration and the long chats. I am glad things are working out for you for your graduation.

Chester 05-06 - Holy cow!! I will never forget you!! Staff, you know who you are - I will always have a very VERY special part in my heart for you.

Ben - I am so glad I met you, I honestly can say I miss you. I hope things are going well in Washington, and I really can't wait to see you sometime again, probably in New Mexico or Oregon.

Mark - Man, so many great things were learned from you. You and Christina are like the perfect couple that everyone is happy around.

Amber - Thanks for a great experience at La Salle. I really am glad I got a chance to work with you. Thanks for challenging me.

La Salle Students and Staff - You were one of the main reasons where I am today. Thank you so much! Even though Matt is gone, I always think of you guys and how much time we spent growing up together.

Robbie - Man, am I lucky to have the opportunity to work with you. Thanks for challenging me, supporting me, really being my biggest cheer leader and my best teacher a man could ever need. Thanks for making me a better professional, and more importantly a better person.

Derrick - Thanks for all you do. It has been awesome working with you this year, and I will really miss you as you move on. Thanks for all the care and passion you put into your job.

Carolyn - Thanks for always keeping it real. I always can count on you for telling me the truth and that's one quality I rarely find in people. Thanks for always pushing me to do better at what I do.

Holly - Thanks for always putting a smile on my face. For the mid-afternoon getaways, for the countless dog chats, for the "can't quite walk straight" moments, for every little thing we laugh so hard about. Simply, thank you.

UIC Staff - Thanks for everything so far! I know our relationship is really starting to grow, but I look forward to getting to know each other, and having a great year! Thanks for making me look good all the time!

Todd - Thanks for your company, and friendship. You gave me hope that there is still good left out there. Thanks for your honesty and continued friendship.

Chrissy - Through tough times and good times, you have always been there for me. Thank you for everything. This comment is not enough. Your friendship means the world to me, and I am glad that you are part of my family, and I am part of yours.

Cary - Man, sometimes you are tough on me, but I have nothing but love for you. You always know how to push my buttons, but I know you do it because you care. Thanks Cary!!

Aaron - One of the main reasons I wanted to move to Chicago. I have never met someone with such a gentle heart and a wide open mind! I know you are going places, and you truly deserve every moment of it.

Ed - What can I say. In the last couple years I feel like I have grown so close to you, ironically after I left Philly. Thanks for the long talks and even longer walks and all of the "fabulous" things in between. I can't wait to see you again.

Bill - Thanks for always making me laugh. No matter how low you are in the fantasy baseball standings, you truly have kept it motivating for everyone that participates. I miss talking to you and having all our appropriate and inappropriate conversations.

April - Thanks for giving me the chance. I can't thank you enough. You changed my life and I owe everything to you, and also get to blame everything on you too. I miss you so much, and I hope I get to see you again. I could go on and on about our time, but I wouldn't know where to stop, so I will save it for another time.

Stacie and Kyle - I can't thank you enough. I am not even going to try. You mean the world to me and without you, I am not sure where I would be in life. Even as I type this, I feel like I am about to cry with the sense of happiness that comes over me when I think of you two and how important you are to me. I love you through all our times and I can't wait to see you again. You truly have made me a better person.

Tom - I think I need to invent a word that means more than thank you. Your friendship has meant the world to me, and everything you have done for me has made me grow as a person. Thanks for watching out for me through the low moments and the high times. You truly are an amazing person and I look forward to our continued friendship. Everything that has happened, including the move to Chicago was because of you. Meeting you was one of the best things that has happened to me in my life.

Steve - Uh-huh. You know you are last person. How can I possibly start to describe what you mean to me. You made this transition in my life not only easy, but meaningful. I know we don't see each other as much as we should, but I hope you know how much your friendship means to me. Through the high times and the low moments, in such a short time you changed my life. You were there when I needed someone the most, and you always give me the joy of life. Every moment is a new and unpredictable moment with you and for that I thank you.

Molly - I know you probably will never read this, but thanks for always giving me unconditional love. Even through the accidents, and the long walks to wait for you to do you thang, I truly couldn't have asked for a more perfect roommate. I love you.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.