I wish we were capable of accepting history as it actually happened instead of celebrating a holiday that covers up mass murder, the sex-slave trade, racism, and the Eurocentric rewriting of history to say what we want it to say...
But I am still okay with using the day to give thanks for all the blessings in my life.
I'm thankful for all the time we're able to spend with our families, and all the help they've been able to give us when we need it; I'm thankful for the internet, bittersweet gift though it is, and for the connections it allows me to discover and maintain; I'm thankful for Mike's job that provides for us, and mine that works with all my limitations; I'm thankful to have beautiful babies in my life who are sources of pure sweet goodness; I'm thankful for nature and music, which are the ultimate conductors of divine love that can help me feel good about life even when it seems to hate me; I'm thankful for books and the constant opportunities for learning, escape, and empathy they offer; I'm thankful for old friends who share my interests and new friends who are on the same journey I am; I'm thankful for Mike, for how well we can work together to deal with all the messes in our life. And I'm thankful for this time of year, when everything just seems more special and beautiful, and it's so easy to focus on peace and kindness and happiness and love.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone... I hope it's a wonderful one.
I just mentioed the whole history thing on my blog too. I still love the holiday, even after learning all I did.
ReplyDeleteI'm being presumptious in guessing I'm one of the "new friends" you mentioned. I'm grateful for you too. Honestly, I'm not really able to discusss much of what we discusss with anyone else but Adam. It really helps me to know someone feels the same way I do.
You certainly are! I'm in the same boat, and I'm so grateful for the ones I do have to talk to. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your first paragraph! And it is important to include a healthy dose of gratitude with that depressive realism. My favorite combination ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's the only way to stay sane, Linds. :)
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