A Nibhanupudi

Shresta Nibhanupudi (she/her)

Editorial Team Member

Up till recently I’ve always been looking for a sob story in my life for my college applications. To be frank, I truly don’t have any. I realized that I focus too much on the deficiency in my life rather than the proficiency. As a society, in our day to day, we get so caught up with the negative.  But, I don’t want to continue on that path. So today, in honor of Thanksgiving coming up, I want to list what I’m truly grateful for. Get comfy because I’ve realized that this list is incredibly long. However, I have condensed it. 

I want to start with my family. My family is the most miraculous occurrence of my existence. I live as a product of generations of hard work, from my ancestors to my sister. My immediate family is a group of people who I aspire to emulate in my life. My dad is my clone for whom I can’t express the extent of my gratitude for. At times I think that I overlook his acts of kindness. At every step in my life, I have been blessed to have a father who has helped me tie my shoes. I have recently realized that I am more similar to my mother than I previously thought. She remains a pillar in my life no matter the circumstance. The more I grow, the more I have realized the sacrifices she has made for the life I have today; sacrifices that can’t be thanked enough. My sister is someone that I’ve always wanted to become. She has been my role model from zero to sixteen, and she always will continue to be. Though she’s in Baltimore now, I still have bouts of joy when I realize the relationship that we have. My grandparents on both sides are a genuine blessing. My dad’s dad is another one of my clones. He showed me the importance of being myself because he loved my personality so thoroughly. My dad’s mom is the purest soul I have ever met, and I don’t mean that lightly. She raised my dad and taught me with those same ideals. My mom’s mom is someone I can count on to always be honest with me. But through my mom’s stories, I’ve learned that she is the strongest woman in my life. My mom’s dad has always taught me the importance of hard work. Anytime I accomplish anything, I know that he will be the happiest for me. But through it all, I am proud and thankful to be a Nibhanupudi. 

Next, I want to be thankful for my environment. From my best friends to my community I live with, I have no shortage of privilege. Recently, in the friend department, my life has fallen short. But I’ve had two people extend that line. I have had two friends who have truly shown me what it means to have a best friend and be one. For them, I will be forever thankful. My community is my foundation. My community celebrates me and my achievements more than I ever could. I will be eternally grateful for the foundation that they have provided me with. 

Lastly, I’m grateful for myself. I am grateful to have a mind and body that has gotten me sixteen years into my life. I possess the ability to persevere and I am kind. I have created the environment that I am ever so thankful for. This blog is meant to serve as a reminder that though many things can go astray, there is always something to be thankful for.