It is so easy to forget what Thanksgiving is all about or to become so self-involved as to forget what we have to be thankful for.
I haven't forgotten that the economy is bad. I haven't forgotten that we are in the middle of a war with no real end in sight. I haven't forgotten that people are starving and homeless here at home and abroad. I haven't forgotten Aids or Alzheimer's. I haven't forgotten that in the same year of change that we elected the first black President of the US, we also categorically and intentionally denied the freedom and rights of a growing portion of the population to enjoy the same privileges to share their lives and declare their love in front of God and man, to secure the same benefits as a traditional married couple. In essence, we haven't stepped forward, only sideways.
I seem to have forgotten my point momentarily, however.
I expected to be working on Thanksgiving. I had planned or not planned accordingly, so when on Wednesday it was finally confirmed that I would not have to, I resigned myself to the fact that I would spend "just another Thursday" in front of the computer and TV, alone again. Don't get me wrong, solitude is not always bad and quite often welcome, but Thanksgiving well...
Back to my original point - It is easy to forget the truly important things when we allow the daily minutiae to overwhelm us. I am often guilty of that. Today was a reminder of some of the things for which I should be more grateful. I thought it a perfect day to make a short list.
Family - most people will put this on their list but how often do we overlook or take them for granted. How easy to focus on the little things that peeve us.
Friends - Another one most people will list. I have said on more than one occasion that I don't have many friends and that is basically true, but the ones I do are the best around. I know I am not a warm, fuzzy type who makes friends easy. That doesn't even bother me. I am grateful to be reminded of how great the few people who have chosen to tolerate me really are.
Needs Met - I may not have every little thing that I want, but I truly have every thing I need. I have shelter. I may not live in the grandest manor but it serves its function. I have food. I don't recall ever wondering if or how I was going to eat. I may not eat steak and lobster and caviar (ick) but I can normally stock my freezer with frozen dinners and my fridge with bologna or ham. We have all recently experienced the $4 gallon of gas (or close). As much as I might have resented it, I never worried that I wouldn't be able to fill up and make it to work every day.
It is important to note here that I sidetracked a little from at least part of my point. When I woke this morning, I had nothing to look forward to but TV (mind you I do not watch sports and it is Thanksgiving) and Internet and maybe a turkey sandwich (the lunch meat variety). But something happened to change all that.
First, my ex-gf brought me a plateful of food, a Thanksgiving feast she had been up all night preparing. How nice is that? (Who else has en ex like that?)
Second, I got a text message from another friend inviting me to Thanksgiving lunch with her family. Thank you, Sonja.
I respectfully declined, explaining that it was a family holiday and I would see her on Saturday. I also asked her to express my thanks to her mom. About 2 minutes later, my phone rings.
Her mom.
Reluctantly, I answer.
"Hello"
"Get your ass over to my house, right now!"
"Er, um, ok."
Now, for those of you who don't know Ms. Priscilla and think I edited out the pleasantries and cut to the chase, let me assure you, this was the beginning of the conversation (and almost the sum total). So while I missed my family and the antics that are uniquely ours, I got to spend a nice few hours with a wonderful (and nearly as dysfunctional) surrogate family. I was treated and mistreated just like any other brother/uncle. For that, I am truly thankful.
So to all of my family and friends:
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