My grandfather died when I just turned thirteen, I felt I lost my best friend. I had this great interest in becoming a cartoonist, I still have somewhat an interest in illustrating, but I have more an interest in writing. Anyway my grandfather was so supportive; he brought me pencils, pens, coloring pencils, all types of art materials, he even made me a story board for which I can use to develop my story lines.

I was really serious about this at the time, I developed a character, named him Jerry, developed his traits, friends and total background. I never really knew what it meant to "not take things for granted," until my grandfather's death.

So I try not to take life in general for granted, I'm still learning, I recently lost a cat due to illness, I took for granted my cat, Jojo would live a long time, not get sick, nothing will happen, but it did, Jojo took ill, I guess not taking life for granted is something I or "we" have to be conscious of everyday.

I give gratitude for life and all that it has to offer because one never really knows when life will change or what life has in store.

To what do you give thanks?