Something to be Thankful For

Thursday, November 26, 2009
Like many Americans, I like to use the Thanksgiving holiday as an opportunity to reflect on those aspects of my life for which I'm grateful. Since I can always find something to bitch about, I think it's appropriate for me to take some time to acknowledge those things for which I'm profoundly thankful.

I'm thankful for my Smart Man, who makes me laugh and gives me hugs, who takes pride in my accomplishments and hurts when I hurt, who accepts my help and gives me help in return, who admires my virtues and forgives my faults, and whose intelligence and wit make him good company every day.

I'm thankful for my Smart Twins, who, in spite of occasional rough patches and the usual confusion that goes with coming of age, are slowly approaching an adult life of which they can be proud.

I'm thankful for my birth family, who installed all my buttons and still occasionally pushes them, who are always available if I need their help but don't want to live in my back pocket, who make me laugh and make me cry, and whose diversity and individuality makes being a weirdo less isolating.

I'm thankful for my friends, both on-line and off, who make my world a richer place, who make me a better person by their presence, and who show me each and every day how incredibly lucky I am to have them in my life.

I'm thankful for my silly Boogie-Dog, who fills my days with love and laughter.

I'm thankful I'm finally at a point in my life where I'm content to be who I am. It took over thirty years for me to get here, but I can honestly say I love my life and wouldn't change much if given the opportunity.

I'm thankful I'm an American. Not in the "America! Fuck, yeah!" sense, but in the sense that I won the genetic lottery by being born here, in this time, to the birth family that raised me. Those circumstances have contributed an immeasurable amount to my success and quality of life, and it behooves me to remember that.

I'm thankful I have a strong and healthy body, and the means and resources to maintain it to the best of my ability.

I'm thankful I learned the lesson that "fortune favors the prepared mind" in time for it to make a profound difference in my life and circumstances.

I'm thankful I love to learn, and that I have the means to indulge that love.

And finally, I'm thankful that once again I was able to reconnect with an old friend through the wonders of social media. Gayle, I have been looking for you for over 20 years, and knowing that you've missed me too makes my heart sing with joy. You, too, have been a most precious friend, and I'm so glad to have found you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

5 comments:

vince said...

Happy Thanksgiving Janiece!

Jeri said...

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Janiece and smart family - I'm grateful to have found you in the haystack that is the Internet. :)

Karl said...

One olive per finger! And no gravy moustaches! :)

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Eric said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Janiece!

Anne C. said...

I love your descriptions of everything, Janiece. Thanks for being my friend.