Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend have officially come to a close, but who says giving thanks should be reserved for one day? No matter our financial status, political affiliation, age, gender or race, we all have something to be thankful for.

This year my life has changed in so many ways. Since last Thanksgiving I have been a bridesmaid for four of my best friends’ weddings. I saw Alabama win their 14th National Championship in New Orleans. I graduated from graduate school at the University of Alabama and moved to Selma, a place where I knew no one. In many ways this has been the most challenging year of my life, but along the way I’ve met some incredible people and collected unforgettable memories.

This year, I’m thankful for the little things. Things like to-do lists and the satisfaction I get when I cross something off of one. Things like maps and the time that slips away as I stare at them, planning my future worldwide adventures. Things like my front porch, where I can sit and sip hot tea.

I’m also thankful for acceptance. Being new in town it is often difficult to get my bearings. But one thing that has been easy here is meeting people. The people of Selma have opened up their hearts and even their homes to me and the other new reporters at the Times-Journal. Even though Selma has seen many reporters come and go, almost everyone I’ve met has greeted me with a warm smile and taken a personal interest in getting to know me. Your accepting spirit and attitude is something I am beyond thankful for.

As a journalist I’m most thankful for two things: voice mailboxes and digital recorders. I can’t tell you how many voice mails I leave people daily. I’m thankful I have a means to let people know I need to talk to them and I’m even more thankful when they call me back. I actually pump my fists into the air and sometimes burst into song when this happens. And digital recorders help make life easier, by having a backup to get those quotes exactly right, word for word.

Something else I’m thankful for this year is friends who are like family and family who are like friends. I love the family of friends that I’ve made so far here in town that I can share these times with, when I can’t spend the day with my immediate family.

And speaking of family, mine is growing. I am thankful to announce that my little sister and her husband will be having a baby in May. She made the announcement over Thanksgiving and I’m so thankful I’m going to be an aunt — even though the shocked look on my face may have not portrayed an emotion of thankfulness.

I can’t wait to see what the time between this Thanksgiving and next bring, and I hope you all had the chance to give thanks for the little things that make the big moments in life so special.