First thing's first, I wanted to say thanks again to all of the people who went out of their way to wish me a happy birthday yesterday. It really did perk me up considerably and you guys remind me of just how lucky I am to have had my life turn out the way it is. So thanks again, yesterday was wonderful and I owe you all a great deal of gratitude.

This time last year I was in a much different place. Was reading/filling out more than 50 applications every other day, my productivity was non-existent, I was incredibly depressed, and everything was just sliding further downhill. I was going to start working at an awful call center in the coming weeks, and my overall environment was just stressful and unpleasant. Things were not going well, and I felt useless.

All of that changed when I got my job last May, which even though now it is a cavalcade of politics and stupid where they treat everyone who works there poorly, I can pay the bills and what not. I have two amazing roommates, my friends are all wonderful and fantastic people, and I have come to understand and appreciate how my family shows they care in their own way. I never would have figured my life would look like this after last year, and to think it all started when I was 16 and one day got lucky on a Google search.

You guys have changed my life, and now I feel that things happen for a reason. Hardships will come and go, but what I have learned and been lucky enough to experience through Furaffinity, chatrooms, conventions, forums, all of that stuff has brought me to where I am now. Things get hard, sometimes they seem like they will be hard forever, but if you have the support of people who want to see you succeed then you can strive to do better, and I truly believe that you /will/ do better.

I still have a lot to learn, but I feel that finally I have grasped that sometimes things happen for a reason, and the only time things won't or can't get better is when we decide to give up. I'm not giving up anytime soon, and I hope none of you will either because I will totally put my foot down and do what I can to help.

Thanks so much for everything, I hope someday I can truly express my gratitude and feelings. For now I'll just say that you are awesome, and never let yourself think otherwise. You have so much life left to live, and I hope that I can maybe make you smile at least a little bit here and there.