2016 Has Been Awful – But There’s Plenty to be Thankful For

If you ask people what they think of this year, a lot of them will probably say 2016 is the worst. (John Oliver even closed his season with the very subject!)

I'll agree that this year has been pretty brutal...the celebrity deaths alone are a 'Who's Who" of people whose work I've admired.

However, even in the face of such negativity, there's still so much to be thankful for:

I'm thankful I got to marry my best friend this year.

I'm thankful that I finally got to see Hawaii, even if it meant I had to leave a little part of my soul behind when I left.

I'm thankful for all the love I got to witness this year standing beside lots of friends and family as THEY got married.

I'm thankful that for every health scare, cough, and cold I went through, I was able to find care from a doctor and get whatever treatments I needed to get healthy.

I'm thankful that for every 100 political arguments on Facebook, I can usually find one tiny, quiet voice of reason trying to encourage people to LISTEN to each other.

I'm thankful for Andy Cohen and the mind-numbing joy I get from the Real Housewives. (Hey, I'm honest.)

I'm thankful for the opportunity to write these blogs everyday...whether I want to talk about foodie news or local events or whatever is on my mind -- not everyone is afforded the luxury of free speech.

I'm thankful to live in a place where I can easily head to the water whenever I need to clear my mind.

I'm thankful that I've never wondered if I was going to be able to afford my next meal or heating bill or month's rent.

I'm thankful for Nutella, a truly magical substance.

I'm thankful that even though I'm married, grown woman...I can still call my parents when I need them and know they'll be able to help.

I'm thankful for the fun opportunities I've had this year thanks to this job - like interviewing celebrities, going to concerts, judging food contests, and helping people win cool stuff.

I'm thankful for you...for reading my words, and being on this crazy radio ride with me for the last 7+ years.

And I'm hopeful...that people will realize that even when things are bad, there's still so much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving my friends, and here's to a happier next year!