Giving Thanks

[storytimewithjoe]

Everyone in the office today seems to be in la-la land. As the holiday season begins, it becomes apparent that everyone is looking forward to a break from the constant barrage of tragedy that 2005 has delivered on such a regular basis. If it hasn't been disease, it has been natural disaster - winds, floods, fires... it is impossible to ignore, and impossible to fully comprehend. Many a time, I found myself either skipping articles in the paper or turning off the news - not because I am cold or callous - but because my brain can only digest so much before reaching the maximum limit.

Yet, upon the eve of the holiday season, I find myself in a slow point.

Work has... stabilized.
My projects are... complete.
The house is...quiet.
And through circumstances that I would never have predicted, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving down in San Diego with Paul's brother's family. Whoddathunkit?

In a way, this marks a transition. Paul and his brother have never really "bonded." Being different personalities, the two grew up in the same house, but as different people. This will not only be a first for Paul, but a first for me - this is after all MY family now. None of my relatives live in California. So in a way, this feels like a rite of passage into the "Giles" family. How neat! One thing that is utterly throwing me is the fact that it is a dinner that I am NOT cooking. FREAKY! Especially ME - hell, I am a native born n' bred Cape Codder. We CREATED Thanksgiving! It is in my blood to do this celebration. It feels odd not cooking it. I am to bring a side dish. >> A << side dish. I'm torn between REAL Cranberry relish (not that gelatinous crap that slurps out of a can like some reject from a Halloween horror house), and some sort of toasted-nut and sweet-potato casserole. Hmmmm... I'll have to do both!

To everyone out there, I wish you all a happy, memorable, calm, and SAFE Thanksgiving Day. And further, I am thankful for...

- friends & family who show me a never-ending supply of love, caring, and patience,

- people who are willing to teach me, and willing to learn from me,

- strangers that I may never meet who take moments to do random acts of kindness that I may not be able to identify (those who clean up broken glass from the sidewalk in front of the house, help stray animals, etc.)

- All of the many random acts of kindness and caring that exist.

- Beauty. Plain and simple in all manners and forms.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Comments

[aliskye.livejournal.com]

I so hear you. I really feel the same. There is only so much that most of can do and after we've done that it doesn't do us any good to flood our brains with constant images of tragedy.

Have a wonderful and terrific Thanksgiving! Enjoy not having to do the entire meal.

I'm grateful that I can count you and Giles in my circle of friends and privledged and honored as well.

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Aw shuckin's...

[aumtattoo.livejournal.com]

You got me a ll leaky with your thankful list. *sniffle*

[columella.livejournal.com]

Happy Thanksgiving to you too! It is this time of year that I especially miss you :( Ah well, this is the day and age of familes being spread all over the continent.... :)

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

Part of the process of taking over the known world!