What are you thankful for so far this year

Why I must say thank you

There are so many things I’m grateful for, and to be honest, choosing just one has always been hard for me. Not because I don’t have reasons to be thankful, but because I have too many.
I even consider skipping the topic entirely because it feels impossible to choose just one blessing out of so many. But today, something happened that made me change my mind. Something touched me deeply and reminded me that gratitude isn't just about saying “thank you,” but also about remembering where you came from and what you’ve survived.

Growing up, I had a very close friend. We were inseparable in secondary school. We did everything together laughed together, cried together, and most especially, ate together. We both attended a boarding school, and if you’ve ever been in one, you’d understand how we shared everything we had. Food was a big deal in school, and most of the time, the students found ways to bring in food items that were considered contraband.

In our school, contrabands were food items that were not allowed like Maggi, pepper, Indomie noodles, and other snacks. The only things officially allowed were garri, sugar, milk, biscuits,golden morn and cornflakes. But that didn’t stop some students, including us, from sneaking in more exciting stuff. The tricky part was preparing these foods without a kitchen. So, we would mix Indomie with cold water or crush it into dry snacks, and sometimes even mix pepper and Maggi raw just to enjoy something different from the usual.

We were told many times that this was dangerous and could damage our bodies. But like many teenagers, we didn't listen. We just wanted to enjoy the moment. We were young and carefree, and life felt like it would go on forever.

Fast forward to today, many years after graduation, I heard sad news that left my heart broken. My friend's sister reached out to me and told me that my friend had been admitted to the hospital. After several tests, she was diagnosed with cancer. It was hard to take in. The doctors believed that the way we consumed those contrabands back in school might have contributed to her illness. Hearing that shook me to the core.
That could have been me.

We did the same things, ate the same way, shared the same habits. So why did she fall sick while I remained healthy? Why did she have to suffer while I live each day in good health?

It’s not because I’m better. It’s not because I was more careful. Honestly, I wasn’t. If anything, we were both equally reckless back then. But somehow, I was spared. And that alone gives me so many reasons to be grateful.

I’m grateful for my life. I’m grateful that I wake up each day without pain, sickness, or fear. I’m thankful that my body is still strong, and that I get to enjoy the little things in life, laughing, walking, eating, sleeping without stress.

I’m also grateful for the lives of my family and friends. Every time I hear someone’s bad news, I remember how lucky I am to still have the people I love around me. So many people have lost loved ones or are battling one illness or the other. But here I am, blessed with the gift of life and the health of those close to me. That alone is more than enough.

Even though my friend’s story brought pain, it also brought perspective. It reminded me not to take life for granted. I’ve learned to stop and be thankful, even for things that seem small, clean water, food, fresh air, and the ability to laugh without worry.

So today, I’m living a life full of thanksgiving. I may not have everything I want, but I have everything I need. And above all, I have health, life, and the presence of God. And for that, I am deeply, truly grateful.