Today, on this national day of Thanksgiving, I am especially thankful for

• My nephew Tom’s continuing recovery and his now home with the ‘rents.
• The many hours in the kitchen with Mom learning her methods and recipes – they keep her with me.
• A growing and focusing sense of purpose.
• My crazy, devoted, outrageous, loving family – even when we’re separated by miles (or in this case, a terrible infection that has Sandy and I doing Thanksgiving dinner on our own today).
• Antibiotics (see above).
• Deep friendships – that hang on despite long gaps between conversations (and as an ancillary, thank God for Facebook, so that those friends are still connected somehow).
• Pumpkin pie – well, all pie, really. I mean, who doesn’t like pie?
• Room for the sorrows of the day too – both personal and national. I miss Mom and Dad, as well as friends who have passed… but I am also sad that our European ancestors had no regard for the cultures and peoples they encountered when they landed here.
• My brilliant, shiny, compassionate, and earnest colleagues at Union Theological Seminary.
• Laughter; especially at this (h/t Erik Wikstrom): http://youtu.be/lf3mgmEdfwg
• Music. Always music.
• The soft, snoring kitty next to me (and the one sacked out on my bed).
• I and those I love are safe, warm, and dry. And sorrow that is it not so for everyone, when it is in our capacity to make it true for all.
• My faith. And yours. Many beliefs enrich our world.
• Challenges – physical, mental, spiritual, emotional.
• The many teachers in my life – professional and unintentional
• Memories – even the bad ones.
• Books.
• Middle age – I’m old enough to know better but still young enough to do something about it. (Although I’d like a little less of this aching and creaking, thanks.)
• Opportunities, some of which I know I get because of my place of privilege (white, middle class, American), some of which I have fought tooth and nail for, some of which have been simply gifts of grace.
• The inspiration of fellow Unitarian Universalists – you keep me focused and hopeful.
• Peace.
• Joy.
• Love.

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all.