It is Thanksgiving Day.  My favorite holiday of the year.  Not only is it a day to eat large quantities of delicious food, it is a day to simply be.  A day to enjoy the company of family and friends and to reflect on the many blessings in our lives.

Alan, Van, and I have a new-ish ritual of saying one thing we are thankful for before eating dinner.  Van’s answer almost always relates to food  on his plate in front of him (he’s three, he lives in the moment – though there was the one day he said he was thankful for the library).  I so recommend something like this if you are not already doing it.  Though it can sometimes feel silly or trite, taking a moment to think of something I am thankful for grounds me.  Sometimes I even begin anticipating the evening’s ritual during the day, thereby enriching my day with good thoughts.

And so, on this Thanksgiving Day, I would like to thank the many, many friends and family who have provided love, support, and friendship over this past year.  My family and friends are the most important part of my life.  Without you, I would only have the wilderness.

As you all know from reading my past posts, this past year has not been without its challenges.  There are four individuals in my life who have provided tremendous support and love over this past year who deserve to be thanked publicly.  I am honored to be your daughter (Mom and Dad) and your friend (Shannon and Cathy).  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for listening, for being there, for loving me, and for providing a real home to the three of us.  Or, in the case of my parents, for providing a home for the four of us.  We are so lucky that you love Hickory as much as we do.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you have much to be thankful for.  I know that the holidays can be hard for some people.  If this is you, please know that you do not need to force a smile because it is the season of “merriment,” and please do not feel afraid to reach out if you need a hand, an ear, or a cup of warm tea.  Much love from our family to yours…