According to Statistics
PC: Britni Conrad
Hardly Worthy
“Tis the season to be thankful. The billboards and ads all say it: “What do you have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving?” But in reality, whether it be finals, getting gifts for family or reconciling your bank account, the end of the year sucks.
Each day 365,000 babies are born and 18 million birthdays celebrated. 510,000 tons of rice are harvested. 600 people will get promotions. 4,383 dogs are adopted. 35,000 balloons are sold. 200,000 skittles are made. “I love you” is said over 9 million times. 35 billion smiles are shared. 105 billion laughs are heard. There’ll be over 5,000 weddings. 42 million hugs will be given. Over 80 people receive organ transplants. Our bodies will lose and reproduce up to 50 trillion cells. Each tree will provide enough oxygen for two people. Each person takes 8,000 steps and 23,000 breaths.
So with all of this, yes, today may suck, but according to statistics, today is shaping up to be a pretty great day
This morning, I sat at my computer, tears streaming down my face because of a heart wrenching video of a father crying out for his son. His son was one of the victims of the Thousand Oaks shooting.
He wanted the world to know his son’s story, and understand what he as a parent is going through. How he aches because his children are left without their big brother. He reflects on the last thing he said to his son, “Son, I love you.”
There’s a fire raging after a small campfire got out of control and led to destruction. Reading the facebook posts from my friends who are trying to fathom what’s happening to their homes and families. The destruction hits close to home for so many, and for some has caused the loss of their houses. Reading the posts I see expressions of thanks to friends who have opened up their homes and invited their families in. There’s posts of gratefulness that they are safe.
Thankfulness is relative. This father who lost his oldest child to a deadly shooting is thankful his last words to his sons were ones of love. These friends who lost their homes express their gratefulness for families and friends who’ve extended hospitality to them. So, ‘tis the season to be thankful. Let those you love know how much you appreciate them. Make sure your parting words are ones you won’t regret, just in case they’re your last. Be thankful today for those you have.
https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/08/us/jason-coffman-california-shooting-borderline/index.html
https://brightside.me/article/all-of-this-happens-during-just-one-day-on-earth-1705/
https://www.organdonor.gov/statistics-stories/statistics.html#expandcollapse
https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics
Kasondra Reel is a senior studying nursing.