Thanksgiving 2003

Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003 - 2:28 a.m.

On this Thanksgiving, I have to look back and think about what to be thankful for.

It was a difficult year.

If I may paraphrase Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II -- 2003 was a year upon which I shall not look back with undiluted pleasure.

I lost my grandmother, and three weeks later, I lost a baby.

But when I needed it to, the universe took many forms, and each one of those manifestations has ended in a big warm hug, either real or virtual or emotional. Even though there was darkness for a while this year, I can see the light from my shining stars -- mostly in the forms of my beloved and devoted friends who have never hurt me.

That list becomes smaller every year, so those remaining on it are all the more precious to me. :)

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So here's what I'm thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for a sense of strength. I'm thankful for the sanctuary I have felt in the virtual embrace of my online friends, and my 3-D friends. I'm thankful for being able -- at least in fits and starts, if not all the time -- to open up and trust people in general again.

I'm thankful for making new friends, like Cher1 H3ys3, who wrote to me at a time I was considering discontinuing this journal, and told me how much my work here on Diaryland had meant to her. And for JJ, who is the very first other Diarylander I've met in person. We're getting along famously, which is a miracle in and of itself.

I'm thankful for the steadfast and never-ending dependability of friends like Br1@n Cl@yt0n, a fellow Whovian and science fiction conventioneer who used to live in Fresno when I lived in Chico, and through a series of wacky misadventures, ended up living about three miles away from me as of this writing, and who has known me for even longer than John has; for Jamie Lord who never ceases to amaze and delight me with his outlook on life, for Kat Lynch who was the first person I met on AOL and has been one of my online cornerstones for ages, ditto for Allison in TX, AKA IvyzPoison, who is a constant source of warmth and friendship; and for Glenn Schmall who has asked me as often as he can -- without actually becoming a pain -- if I'm doing okay. That would be a YES, my dear. And for Kimmy, my online little sister whose IMs are always rewarding, and who turned me on to Diaryland in the first place. :)

And I'm so very thankful for Todd Thalimer -- who has known me intermittently for ten years as of this coming spring -- for allowing me to re-enter his life and collaborate with him on some music. I don't know why it's working this well, but I'm not going to pick it to pieces. Thanks for never making me feel like my efforts are doggerel even if they actually are, and thanks for being such a good songwriting partner. I'm so very glad we are back in touch.

I give humble thanks also to Scott Hysmith for choosing to interact with me on a regular basis again through the part of summer and fall, for forgiving me for that awful thing I did so long ago, and for bringing me the joyful news that his parents have reunited after many years of being divorced. Just goes to show you that once you know who your one true love is, nobody else feels quite right. Maybe it's almost right with somebody else, but the bittersweet truth that must be understood and accepted is that the hundred percent mark will always remain elusive.

But when it comes to this sort of thing, I love happy endings -- because they're -always- worth the wait.

Finally -- I'm thankful for each and every one of you who have made me part of your Diaryland travels every day. Whether you're a fellow Diarylander, or just an interested passerby, just the simple kindness and warmth shown by your comments to me or your return visits shows me that I've become a part of your day, even if only for a few minutes -- and for that I am honored and humbled. Thank you.

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I don't need a plane ride through the skies
I don't need roses or a carriage ride
Just a smile and a laugh and a sense of pride
And a friend like you here by my side.

I don't need a fancy diamond ring
Material wealth don't mean a thing
Just Truth and Beauty on angels' wings
And you as part of the songs I sing.

I don't need fortune and I don't seek fame
I don't need a scapegoat to take my blame
If you saw my picture without the frame
I know you would love me just the same.

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I hope your day is wonderful, wherever you are and whatever you have ended up doing. I'm making turkey in the big oven and ham in the little oven and metric assloads of side dishes on the burners that still work. I'm grateful for the bounty of the earth; I'm grateful for having so much food in the fridge that the bottom shelf broke yesterday -- sigh -- and of course...

I'M THANKFUL FOR STUFFING AND PIE!!

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6 of my readers commented on this entry

Jamie (Home now)
I was in a bit of a hurry at mom's, so I didn't get a chance to read your entry in it's entirety. I'm thankful for so many things, but my greatest gift is my family of choice and my family of chance. You taught me that, and it is permanently imbedded in my mind. You amaze me as well, love. Happy Thanksgiving. XOXOX Jamie
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Todd
Wow, thanks so much for being thankful for me. hehe. That sentiment goes both ways. Hope you had a wonderful day!
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Jamie (From his Mommie's home)
Hi sweetie! Happy Turkey Day! xoxox Jamie
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TheDevlyn
Beautiful sentiment from a wonderful writer. Hope you had a wonderful day.
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onewetleg
hey, darlin! happy day everyday! love you so much!
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Glenn
are you sure?....;) On this day of thanks, Im very grateful for the two understanding and caring friends that I have in the foggy city. Happy Thanksgiving.
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