November 28th, 2015 | Uncategorized
Once a year, it is a tradition for Americans to celebrate Thanksgiving as an appreciation holiday. Most Americans believe it’s silly to dedicate one day out of the year to show thanks because appreciation should be shown daily. In my opinion, it is natural for us as humans to consume ourselves in our day to day routine making it extremely easy to forget to show appreciation towards life, our blessings and more importantly our family and friends. Thanksgiving, besides Christmas, is my favorite holiday because it is a great way for people to finally realize how many blessings they truly have.
As a college basketball player in America, I usually spent my thanksgivings playing in basketball tournaments except last year. I was lucky enough to have some family time after spending three years without them. Last year was a tease knowing I would spend another thanksgiving without my loved ones this year. Yet, it is still better than nothing. My definition of family would be different than most as I grew up in a blended family. Many consider family as being blood-related. My idea of a family is surrounding yourself with people that genuinely care and love you unconditionally as much as a blood-related member. You see, that kind of family bond is pure and true as they choose to be in your life, not bounded by a bloodline and I have been lucky enough to experience such an amazing connection.
As you may know, I have a family here in Ireland: my Sport Changes Life family. Gareth, Marc, Alan and the lovely Aimee coordinated for all 13 of us scholars to reunite and celebrate Thanksgiving the right way in Belfast. I always look forward to reuniting with the other scholars and Sport Changes Life members because they really know how to make you feel at home. We all enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and spent the evening catching up, enjoying each other’s company. As a surprise, Marc Mulholland created a special video of all of the scholars’ families wishing a special Thanksgiving to their sons and daughters all the way from America. It was a hilarious yet heart felt movie. Some may read this as me spending thanksgiving away from family but I actually think it is me spending a holiday with my Irish family.
Thank you so much to my Sport Changes Life family for creating such an amazing evening for us scholars, and thank you scholars for embracing me as a person after only knowing each other for 3 months. This is my family now for the year and I am extremely lucky to have been introduced to some great lads. And remember; don’t forget to be thankful from time to time not just once a year.
Victory Scholar: Jazmen Boone
Present University: Waterford IT
US League: CAA
Club/Community Partner: Waterford Wildcats
Alma Mater: The College of William and Mary
Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland
