Ephemeral

(I never have any good ideas for blog post titles, which is why they are always so inscrutable and senseless.)

I am looking forward to being with the family this week, but I also feel a lot of anxiety and sadness about the pending visit. I keep crying in public when people ask me about my grandparents (so, fair warning if you see me). I cried yesterday at work, in our department meeting, when our boss asked us to go around and say what we were thankful for. “My family,” I said. “And how dependable… and loving… they are…” And then I dissolved into ugly tears over free bagels.

♦

The US political field is so ugly right now, and I am so ashamed of the surge of hatred, fear, and bigotry that the GOP candidates have inspired among the public. Whenever a candidate says anything, I visit FactCheck.org, which has become one of my sole barometers on the validity of political pronouncements. I have been astonished at how many blatant lies are circulating.

♦

I am thankful for

• the opportunity to be with Mom, Dad, Kelsey, Alex, Sam, Ma-Maw, and Da-Dan this week;
• starting a Five-Year Diary;
• sweet friends;
• cataloging photo archives;
• Guion, always;
• my calligraphy studio;
• kind colleagues and perceptive managers;
• This American Life keeping us awake and inspired on road trips;
• dogs who patiently wait outside the door while I nap off a migraine;
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus; and
• a clean house.

Hope those of you in the US have a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.