
(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.
Happy Thanksgiving. Have a safe and wonderful trip to see your family. And thanks for the lovely blog posts over the months and years.
I just read your Ephemeral post…Im still new here so I dont really leave comments, but your post made me really want to leave a reply. I feel like I can relate to you right now, the whole crying in public (but not for the same reason as you are)…. Just wanted to say thank you for listing things you are thankful for, cause you just reminded me that theres so much more things to be thankful for in life, even when in a tough situation in life…
So just wanted to say thank you for making my night better!
We all have a lot to be thankful for, the trick is remembering that and not taking for granted what we have.