Strength

I think Thanksgiving may be one of my favorite holidays. I just like the tone. Thanksgiving isn't a tv/radio advertisement guilt trip to make the general public feel obligated to go down a falate superstores and malls across the country. Thanksgiving is nothing but simple dinners with family. You just can't sex that up like you can Valentines day or Christmas. Thanksgiving is nice; being more thankful just feels so introspective and cleansing (and inexpensive).

I have a lot to be thankful for, but the things that I focus on have changed over the years. For years I used to say I was thankful for my house and having my own room and food and having a family and being able to drive myself places.. etc. My list has been changing a little over the past few years in particular though (a lot of things have). Last year was a year I really realized just how strong my family members are. My mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa have all lead full and successful lives that I had never really thought about collectively before. I can tell that a lot of that has passed onto my sister too. This year opened the scope even more. I've met and grown closer to people outside my family with a steady radiating glow of personal fortitude. It's not always obvious at first, but over time you can really see the hope, drive, love and success of people with less innate talent and less than perfect circumstances. You can't help but feel a little bit inspired. Having people like this willingly include me in their lives by choice is what I'm most thankful for this year.