I am, generally, a cold and unfeeling person. I tend to save shows of emotion for a select group of situations, like my best friend's wedding, saying goodbye before college, or the end of Marley & Me.

I know a lot of people celebrate Thanksgiving by going around the table and sharing what they're thankful for, but in the Lombardi household, we show that we care about each other with constant, unrelenting teasing, so such a sincere exhibit of love and gratitude would just be weird.

That being said, in a time where it seems like so much is wrong with the world, I actually think it's necessary to stop and take stock of all that is right every once in a while — plus, I complain a lot, so, short of magically halting all the negativity that comes spewing from my mouth on a regular basis, this seems like the best way to counteract that horrible habit of mine.

So, without further ado, I am thankful for:

A mom who owns a Pope bobblehead and loves me enough to make two gallons of spaghetti sauce for me to take home and hoard away in my freezer for the next six months.
A dad who will take me out to lunch on my birthday, thinks that I should run my own business, and always tells terrible dad jokes, even in front of my co-workers.
A brother who is one of the most sweet and generous people I know.
Another brother who has become someone I go to for advice and sharing jokes.
Grandparents who continue surprise and inspire me all the time.
Best friends who are there for me 24/7, whether I'm having a mini emergency or just feel the need to randomly quote Friday Night Lights without looking like a weirdo.
A job that challenges me and provides new opportunities for growth and learning.
A commute that's short and sweet...most of the time.
The existence of Wayne Gretzky Highway and the Canadians who decided to name it that.
Niagara Falls. (The Canadian side.)
The slow-but-very-real revitalization of Detroit.
High school friends who give a fuck.
Random people who, for some reason, wish me a happy birthday.
Hedgehogs eating birthday cake.
Pope bobbleheads.
Mulled cider.
Random acts of kindness.
Nerds.
Netflix.
Really good Italian food.
New friends.
Dogs. A thousand times: dogs.
Pine-scented candles.
Storytelling and imagination.
Generous return policies.
Free parking spots.
Long road trips.
90s hip hop.
Rocks, trees, rivers, lakes, and all the beauty there is in nature, everywhere.
Ugly Christmas sweaters.
Acoustic covers.
Comic book heroes.
The freedom to be a smartass.
Cheeseburgers.
Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of other things, which in itself is a blessing.