Giving Thanks

For American Thanksgiving we had Janet (Tom’s mom) and Bryan (her husband) over for dinner. I am so grateful that I had a chance to share in Thanksgiving traditions this year even though I’m still in Canada. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because to me it represents the closing of the year. Winter begins and it’s time to recall all the things we loved about this year and prepare for the new one.

I’m thankful that Tom and I had the courage to take a leap. To go from best friends to lovers. To go from watching from afar and loving silently to holding tight and hard and kissing softly.

I am thankful for our new apartment, for our own space, for our wonderful furniture and the lovely light, big windows, wood burning fireplace, and our office in the solarium.

I am thankful for my family and friends. I am thankful for their support, grace and love. I’m thankful for my relationship with my mother, and that I can laugh until my stomach hurts with her, and that she’s always been a world of support. I’m thankful for my relationship with my sister, because I can’t count how many times people have told me, “My sister and I don’t get along at all.” I like that we play video games and know what each other is saying even when our mouths are full. I am grateful for my two little sisters, who are gifted, intelligent, and tender hearted. They are always excited to learn and are kind to each other, and look out for each other.

I’m thankful that my friends, though most are far away, and some still make time to see me when I am home and that we keep in touch over email, Skype calls, photoswapping, etc. I’m thankful I can still play D&D over Skype.

I’m thankful for Bronwyn, my new (except not really) friend. She is always there to talk when things are rough, and when they’re not, and if personalities could be described with words like, “soft”, “comfortable”, and “illuminate”, that would be Bronwyn. She is quick to stand up for what she’s knows is right, quick to defend you, and a trusted keeper of secrets. She is a wonderful friend and I am so lucky that when I packed up everything and moved to Canada to be with Tom, she was only twenty to forty minutes away.

I’m thankful for the friends I haven’t met yet. Dani, Diana, Catherine, Lauren- the list really goes on. Thanks to the world wide web I can meet caring and generous people I wouldn’t have otherwise. I feel closer to these people than some of the people I have met in real life.

I’m thankful for my two cats, and that they’re safe and sound, and though I can’t have them with me right now, I take solace in the promise of “soon” and remain patient. I know they are happy and taken care of, and for that I am extremely grateful.

I’m thankful that Tom’s family has been so kind to me. I’m thankful that Jim welcomed me with open arms, let me live in his house, and called me his daughter. I’m thankful that Janet and Brian have always been there to listen and to talk, that they helped us move, and that they came over to celebrate the American Thanksgiving with Tom and I.

There is so much more I’m thankful for, but I feel full now. Content and happy with what I’ve said so I’m going to leave it here.