Thanksgiving

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and I spent the holiday with extended family.  I love my family, but we don't always share the same values and beliefs, which makes for interesting holiday conversations.  I thought a great deal today about what I have been truly thankful for this year, and what people and events have deeply touched my life.  My list may be a little different than most. But then again, so am I.

I am thankful for the handful of relatives who love me the way I am, instead of asking me to change to fit their expectations.  I am thankful for my children, who keep me honest and stretch my mind and heart in ways I never imagined before I became a parent.

I am thankful for my "harem" of men who have lunch with me regularly, stimulate my mind and graciously tolerate my questions and tangents.  I'm grateful for their humor, insight, and loving support.  The activities and conversations I have shared with them help keep me whole.

I am thankful for the handful of people at my workplace that I can truly talk to about meaningful things, and not just jewelry parties or clothing sales.  They keep me sane in an atmosphere that is largely based on appearance and presentation, and give me hope in an environment that often feels suffocating and shaming.

I am thankful for the one division manager in my workplace who has made a point to be pleasant and kind to me, even during very challenging times between myself and other senior staff.  Her attitude is an unexpected light in the midst of their darkness.

I am thankful for my intimate friends,  many of which I have known for twenty years or more.  The ability to speak freely, to seek out support, to be accepted as I am is infinitely precious to me.  Only in your circles am I truly at peace.

I am thankful for my dog, who is always happy to see me, always listens, and adores me.  I am also thankful for my cats, who always know when I am sick or sad, and who offer their silent support by draping themselves over me for hours at a time.

I am thankful for my ability to express myself in writing, giving me an outlet for thoughts and feelings that might never make coherent sense if I had to speak them rather than put them into written words.

I am thankful for my chiropractor,  who puts me back together when I am broken; and the lunch ladies at work, who always take a moment to chat.  I am thankful for the custodians who know my name and hold the elevator for me when everyone else seems to walk past me and not see me. I am thankful for my car salesman, who shares many of my posts on Facebook and who sold me an awesome car that will easily go through all the snow this winter; and for his girlfriend, who has amazing tattoos and an enormous heart.


I am thankful for my plaid down comforter, my space heater,  and the curling iron my daughter has taught me how to use after I cut my long hair.   I am thankful for budget theaters and large size boxes of NERDS candy; for gel pens and legal pads to write poetry with.  I am thankful for comfortable slip on shoes, and the people I know who wear them.

I am thankful that I've made it through a sometimes very challenging year to write this list.

Happy Thanksgiving