Thanksgiving

I'd like to take a break from the general craziness of NS to talk about something serious.

In a couple days, many of us will be stuffed full of turkey, pies, cranberry sauce, and anything else that has been put on the table. Many will spend time with their families. Some will go skiing.

These are all terrific things to do, and I plan to partake in all of them (except for the turkey). However, the name of this reason to get out of school or work should mean something more to us, especially as skiers.

We are privileged beyond our wildest dreams to get to do what we do. Whether it's handed to you by your parents or you work your hands to the bone to make it happen, we are all incredibly lucky to be able to ski.

Personally, I would like to give thanks to NS. It's easy to take it for granted and dismiss it, and sometimes I want no part of what goes on here. But NS has done so much to make skiing more pleasurable for me, and I think others feel this too. I've met lots of great friends here, and have been able to expand a simple internet forum into a group of people that make my life a whole lot better. NS gives me a chance to connect with people and groups I would otherwise know nothing about, and I am supremely grateful for the instant comradeship that a simple sticker can create. I would have never heard of ON3P or gotten to play in the parks at the WCS if it weren't for NS, and the trips to get there changed my college choice.

It's easy to write NS off as a group of park rats with no knowledge and nothing to contribute. I have good friends on this site that will not identify themselves as members, because they don't want to be lumped into the stereotype that comes with it. But each and every one of them acknowledges that at the same time, NS has changed their lives, and I would like to thank everyone here for making mine better.

Take a couple of minutes, and think about all that NS has given you, and remember why it is you keep loggin in.