In the dark of my house this early Monday morning, I could write buckets on this subject.
I am thankful that I have a house at all. Heat. Food. That we can pay our utility bill. Our rent. That we have a car that works. Warm clothes to wear. That our basic hygienic needs are met. But these are material things - the tangible things we can touch or see.
The things I'm most thankful for aren't.
I'm so thankful that as I type this, my entire immediate family is snuggled up in my house, warm and asleep. I'm thankful we're so close, we get along so well, and love each other so much. I'm thankful that I get to see my extended family in just 24 hours, and that Thanksgiving is one of the things I look forward to most because of how wonderful 100% of those people are.
I'm thankful for all six of my grandparents who are living and healthy. I'm so glad I got to be the oldest granddaughter on both sides so that I could watch and learn from these amazing folks.
I'm thankful for Asheville and all that it's taught us in the 18 or so months that we've lived here. We've learned about independence, about grace, generosity; we've learned about ourselves and each other (and Tom Hanks, of course).
I'm thankful that, despite the first battle with illness that my family has faced in my lifetime, both my aunts who were struck with breast cancer have not just survived, but thrived. I am so thankful to have been a witness to my Aunt Brandy's warrior spirit, her quiet heroism in the midst of daily routine, continuing to take care of her family while fighting for her life. I'm so thankful she won that fight.
I'm thankful, despite recent events and responses to those events, that we live in America. By a total flick of chance, we were born in a place that is principally concerned with what we bring to the table that can continue to make things better. For all its flaws, America is a dazzling place. I'm thankful that we have the chance to make it better.
I'm thankful for my own health, that I am able to walk and jump and run around and have lots of energy to do so. For my husband who is the best part of every day. For my precious friends who are really family. For the best dog in the world.
I don't know if it's the Christmas lights twinkling or the champagne just going to my head, but I have been especially mindful of all the things to be thankful for in this season of life. They're too many to name.
And for you. I am so, so thankful for you. I'll write more on this subject on the blog's anniversary in a couple of months (!!!), but for now, just know that writing on this platform is one of the great joys of my life. You reading it - once, a few times, AT ALL - is something that blows my mind every time. Thank you.
And to the One who holds all these thanksgivings,
Thank You.
Happy Thanksgiving, folks. Enjoy your families and loved ones.
