Thanksgiving
thanks·giv·ing –noun
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1. |
the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, esp. to God. |
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2. |
an expression of thanks, esp. to God. |
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3. |
a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness. |
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4. |
a day set apart for giving thanks to God. |
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5. |
(initial capital letter |
Leaving aside the “God” noise, since I am not religious, I’m closely examining the definition of “thanksgiving.” The act of giving thanks, an expression of thanks, a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness (and the divine stuff can stay, since even though I don’t believe in a divine god, I think life itself is pretty fucking divine).
Here is my public celebration (well, semi-public, I guess, since this blog is only “famous among dozens”):
Thank you, mom. You were 19 and I was a surprise. You went about your life and didn’t make time for depression or whining. You clothed me, fed me, and made me laugh. You also tortured and scared the crap out of me on Fridays the 13th. Thank you for being the only person in the world who actually thinks I am perfect just the way I am.
Thank you, dad. You taught me more with your untimely departure than you’d have probably ever taught me if you’d hung around. I’ve got your harmonica, btw. I’m keeping it safe.
Bill, thank you for showing me the example of the kind of person I made a promise to never be. Thank you for forcing me to pledge my allegiance early to kindness and compassion. I still think of you often, and do not wish you ill. But if I never see you again in my lifetime, it will be too soon.
My sisters and brother…thank you for being younger than me. I would not have been a good younger sister. I am the Dominator.
Michael, you have lived with who I am for over 7 years. You deserve a cookie. I might even bake it for you. Tomorrow.
I am thankful that I am 37 years old and yet 3 out of 4 of my grandparents are still living. The benefits of being the “Surprise!” teenagers’ child, I suppose. Nancy Ann, thanks for the writing genes. I hope I do you proud someday.
Auntie Judi, I love you so much. I’m not a very good correspondent, but all that time you spent with me when I was little? It didn’t go unnoticed. My dad was so lucky to get you for his sister.
I’m lucky enough to have a family that doesn’t castigate each other for lack of contact; we know we love each other, and have a good time when we see each other, whenever that may be (right, Jenny? I love you!). And that’s that. Don’t be jealous.
I was lucky enough to get a really, really good teacher, when I was at the time of my life when I most needed him. Thanks, Herb.
I don’t have many friends, but hoo, boy…the ones I have. They’re doozies. Amy, you’re too good for me. DSL, thanks for trusting me. Hi, Jerry. My Playa friend(s?): thank you for tolerating my tendency toward anti-sociability. I’m hard work, I know, and I appreciate your efforts.**Rob, you have become one of my best friends, just by being yourself everyday**
I’m grateful for the bowl of Brussels sprouts sautéed with butter and parmesan cheese that I just ate. They were good, yo.
I’ve haven’t exercised regularly in years and I’ve never watched what I eat, and yet, I’m only slightly overweight, instead of needing to be cut out of my house, as it should be. Instead of hating on the fat today, I’m grateful for my body…to paraphrase e.e. cummings, I like my body, I like what it does, I like its hows.
I love bookstores, and books. GOD, how I love books. Rain smells pretty good. Don’t get me started on (at most 70% dark) chocolate, or gummi bears.
Ok, I’m boring even myself now. Thank you to whomever is reading this first draft nightmare. Thank you.
Now go ahead on and tell me what you’re grateful for. Y’all never do what I say, I don’t know why I bother.
I know it’s gay and weird that I’m leaving a comment to my own blog, but I wanted to tell you that I already regret this blog. I hate the thought that someone I failed to mention is going to get very hurt and offended that I didn’t mention them,
but…it isn’t personal. It’s my own misfiring synapses, my own crazy brain…and if you think I love you, I love you. You can put that in the bank.
By: heatherinparadise on November 21, 2007
at 11:39 pm
I hope I get to meet you someday. I love your blog and I love how you express yourself. What a gift! Thank you!
By: Bev on November 22, 2007
at 2:12 am
Thankful for almost everything, especially Sarah B though. Thanks Heather…have a good day today!
By: Bufante on November 22, 2007
at 9:13 am
“Leaving aside the “God” noise, since I am not religious”
“love bookstores, and books. GOD, how I love books.”
heh, nice use of the “noise”.
By: trucker on November 22, 2007
at 6:45 pm
Don’t be so sure that your mother is the only person who thinks you are perfect just the way you are!!!
We cooked dinner for some lonely sailors tonight. I told them that at my family’s Tahnksgiving dinner, we go around the table, one by one, and say what we are thankful for. I told them they didn’t have to do it, but I was going to. I was thankful for my smokin’ hot husband, my beautiful family, all the new friends that could share the holiday with us, and our food that was cooked by my aforementioned husband and his friend while I was in the emergency room this morning.
Happy Thanksgiving, Heather!! I miss your face!
By: sizanne on November 22, 2007
at 8:20 pm
I am extremely thankful to my kids for not giving up on me!!!!!And BTW…..Heather….I have always loved a good surprise!!
By: donna on November 22, 2007
at 9:49 pm
Hey…I think you’re perfect just as you are also.
By: Teetle on November 22, 2007
at 10:28 pm
Thank you for being you, Heather.
Perfect or not.
And thank you for the way you express yourself here. It’s a pleasant read.
“(…this blog is only “famous among dozens”)
You forgot to add “…across the globe”…
By: TeeZet on November 23, 2007
at 4:19 pm
I’m thankful for a lot of things–family, friends, etc, always sounds so banal, until I remember those that dread the holidays such as these because of their misfortune in those two areas. Then I’m quite grateful for my banal!!
Thanks for showing me the blogging path, Heather. Even if I’m not quite as famous as you (“famous among singles”) it does help me organize some thoughts and little vignettes (okay, that’s way too high falutin’ for my little Riley G stories)… so there’s my little slice of Thanksgiving for you, Heather!
By: charmarie221 on November 23, 2007
at 5:20 pm
Hola Heather, I don’t want to sound religious, though no body is perfect “GOD” does accept you the way you are.
Just give your self a chance to get to know him!
By: Marco on November 24, 2007
at 7:49 am
I hope I didn’t offend anyone by mentioning I’m not religious. I’m not offended by people who are, so I hope the feeling is mutual.
By: heatherinparadise on November 24, 2007
at 9:52 am
I am thankful that some people make me laugh….thanks! (-;
By: Jacko on November 24, 2007
at 12:10 pm
I’m thankful for the strength of my wife and for how hard my boys try to do the right thing.
By: James on November 25, 2007
at 2:57 pm
Your mother is most definitely NOT the only person who thinks that you’re perfect the way you are. Thanks for loving me, I love you, too.
By: Jerry on November 26, 2007
at 1:25 am
I love you too, Heather! I have the best cousins in the world
Thanks for writing this blog, it seems like I am right there with you. Hey, can I borrow you for my literature class homework!?
By: Jenny (Schaul) King on November 26, 2007
at 10:15 am