The most wonderful time of the year: Thanksgiving

img_4714Thanksgiving is the one holiday that should be celebrated more than one day a year. In fact, I’d say it should be celebrated 365 days of year. Now I’d suggest it would be nice to have Christmas 365 days a year, too — but that would get expensive fast. And there’d be a lot of stress. The only upside would be that you could keep your decorations up all year round. Stores do that pretty much half the year now anyway.

No, I want Thanksgiving on days that end with Y.

I’ve always been a fan of Thanksgiving. I have great memories of my great uncles piling food on their plates like they had never eaten before. I remember going to my grandparents house and watching the Macy’s Day parade as the smell of Turkey wafted through the room. Driving down a gravel driveway reminds me of the excitement I felt when I would get to see the four people who I knew loved my sisters and me unconditionally. My grandparents were truly great. I will miss them as I always do on Thanksgiving.

The story behind Thanksgiving has always appealed to me. Indians and Pilgrims breaking bread in the spirit of being thankful that they were still on this side of the grass. If they could sit down at the table together, we can stomach our drunk uncle who parrots political talking points he has heard on cable news. Well, maybe there are some limits to being thankful.

What am I grateful for?

This Godawful year. I know, that doesn’t really make a lot of sense but hear me out. All the crap that 2016 has thrown at me as made me realize a lot of truth — about myself and about some people who are close to me. I’ve been able to adjust course and get out of some ruts. I’ve been able to see myself for who I am and need to be. I’d like to think I’m better for it — but I know I have some more work to do. Discomfort is the way to growth. I should be 10 feet tall this year.

So how will I celebrate this year?

I’ll love my family (of course). I’ll eat too damn much. I’ll watch the Macy’s parade and football. But I’m also doing something new. I’m making a list of what and who I am thankful for. And I won’t just do it one day a year. I’ll make it a daily exercise. Like a turkey on Black Friday, I’m just thankful I’m still here. The rest is dressing and gravy.

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