As I was driving back from the city this morning, I suddenly remembered how I spent my Thanksgiving Monday last year. Surrounded by police and grabbing a few belongings, I left a house I had paid for to escape a truly evil person and began a year of homelessness. The cynic in me felt that this was just the beginning of an inevitabley horrible year as I approached my 37th birthday - my dreaded age. Although I gave thanks that year for my family and my health, I really felt there was little else for which I could give extraordinary thanks. And I literally dreaded what was to come.
Oh how a year can change so much. The romantic or maybe the little kid in me wonders if I have so much this year to give extraordinary thanks for because I began this year standing beside my favourite person in the world in our favourite place on Earth - the Magical Kingdom. Haha. Seriously. It is. The student of Psych 100 in me recognizes that the reason I have so much to give thanks for is because last year I chose to walk away from evil, illness, manipulation, lying and demons and open myself up to laughter, love, hope and possibilities.
As I drove home on the rainy highway, I began to make a list of everything new this year for which I am so thankful. So, in addition to my annual thanks for my family and my health, this year I add (in no particular order):
1. My instincts - After ignoring you for a few years, I am so glad to welcome you back into my life. Thanks for sticking around and providing excellent guidance this year.
2. My education - I always tell kids that your education will never fail you and, this year, more than ever, I am thankful for the road that my education has taken me down.
3. The people my education and my job brought into my life - especially a wonderful woman who invited me to share her bed in Las Vegas. ;)
4. Home - After a year of living a nomadic life and enjoying the many opportunities that afforded us, I am thankful again to have my own roof over my head and to be surrounded by the things I love.
5. Greek style yogurt - Seriously. That stuff is awesome.
6. A wonderful community in which we find ourselves and the many wonderful people we have met including the kindest/funniest family I have ever known and a family with whom we can share vacations. To have had both these families welcome us into their lives has been a wonderful gift.
7. Having a child who is now old enough to figure out how to hook up Netflix through the Wii on TV - thus eliminating the need for cable! Yay!
8. A fellow recovering Catholic - who loves to call me loser as a term of endearment and always follows it up wth a heartfelt sorry. I am also thankful that this recovering Catholic finds me funny enough to join his comedy group and, although I am terrible, provides me with constant, over the top affirmation.
9. Trader Joe's and their amazing organic fair trade breakfast blend coffee beans. Ah-mazing.
10. My incredible (and hot) friend and stylist whose shop allows for Steel Magnolia style visits but without the death. She makes me look great and helps me feel great with her awesome personality and wonderfully insightful Facebook updates. And for her children - who have also given the gift of friendship to my child.
11. Glee. What can I say? It's Glee.
12. Two amazing friends who reminded me that when it comes to matters of the heart, it would be better to listen to them than myself. The same two friends who introduced me to Ship Happens. Visa thanks you as well.
13. Long term and long distance friends who can spend many miles and many months apart but pick up exactly where we left off. To our mutually verbally abusive affection for one another. 13 years and counting...
14. A certain paramedic who is the kindest, gentlest man I have ever met who not only brings me joy, laughter and excitement but, most of all, peace. Someone who - no matter what crazy thing I suggest - will smile and say "Sure. Let's do it." Thank you for all the hope and possibilities that you bring with you...
15. I also give super duper thanks to my extraordinary friend who is more like my sister (and sometimes my mother) and has, literally, been a life line for the past year. My spectacular friend who helps me look inside myself and laugh, laugh, laugh. The enthusiasm that she shows for my life makes me somewhat giddy...
16. Finally I give thanks for not having had a turkey dinner this year because, if I actually admit it to myself, I hate turkey.
As I sit on the couch in my home after having spent an outstanding weekend with friends and an incredible man, I am excited to think what I will be thankful for next year...
