I am thankful for parents that loved me enough to tell me no when I was being selfish, disciplined me when I was unruly, encouraged me to work hard and study, demanded my best and required me to treat others better than I would like to be treated. But most of all, they made me feel loved and safe.
I am grateful for the crazy characters that I call family and relatives. At times they drive me nuts, but it sure makes the holidays interesting.
I am grateful for friends and mentors that I have met on my journey. People who went out their way to help me when there was no apparent benefit to them. For their small and large acts of kindness, I am beyond thanks. They have no idea how they have influenced my life for the better. I only hope that I can show the same generosity and touch someone in the way they touched me.
I am grateful for teachers who saw something in me that made them challenge me. Even today, I take seriously recommendations from former teachers and professors that send notes saying you might enjoy reading this or you might benefit from that. Their wisdom is unparalleled. Sage they are to me.
I am most grateful for the nieces and nephews that call me “the other mother.” They remind me of why I must not be apathetic. Their future is at stake. They remind me to stop, smile, laugh and invest in their generation.
I am thankful for all of you that indulge me by taking time out of your schedule to read my thoughts. Your time is valuable and you honor me when you visit my blog.
Thank you!
Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. – Victor Hugo
Ronda is an attorney, writer, and entrepreneur. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Los Angeles and New York. She loves to travel and is passionate about education equity, especially for first generation college students.