daily gratitude

Thanksgiving has always been my absolute favorite holiday. 

It's not because of its pleasant historical beginnings, no matter how factual or inaccurate. It's not because of the morning Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, nor the afternoon NFL football game, nor even the following Black Friday.

It's not even because of the food... although I do adore my aunt MA's baked brie, crusty french bread, oven roasted turkey, crisp green beans, fresh cranberries, sweet potatoes, braised cabbage, my aunt Gret's salad, my mom's stuffing, and my sister's apple pie.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of what it means: a day spent with family and loved ones, a day to remind us that it matters not what we want for Christmas (in my case), nor hope for in the New Year, but what we already have.

I literally jumped out of bed with glee this past Thanksgiving day. I made myself breakfast, helped my roommates prepare for their own dinner with friends, toasted to being thankful with champagne, met my family across town for our annual Thanksgiving feast, came back to my apartment just in time for dessert and Buzzword, and wrapped up the night with dancing at a bar a few blocks away.

These past few years haven't just been plentiful in uncertainties, but in pure joy, exciting opportunities, and inspiring support too. Even if I were to focus on recognizing life's generosity each and every day, it probably wouldn't be enough. So, like Jess, I took Seth's Thanksgiving words to heart:

A great way to give thanks...

for the privileges we've got, is to do important work.

Your job, your internet access, your education, your role in a civilized society... all of them are a platform, a chance to do art, a way for you to give back and to honor those that enabled you to get to this point.

For every person reading this there are a thousand people (literally a thousand) in underprivileged nations and situations that would love to have your slot. Don't waste it.

Whether or not you recognizes this favorite holiday of mine, I hope you will be able to take something away from them as well.