Here’s Lookin’ at You.Yes, You.

My family home was recently (very recently) robbed, which put a peculiar and extremely bitter taste in my mouth when it came to counting my blessings and giving thanks as I like to do over my favorite of all the holidays, Thanksgiving. This is terrible, of course, since the only tastes that are supposed to be filling my mouth this week consist of candied yams and mashed potatoes. Hmph.

But really, people are truly horrible sometimes. And, from my own personal perspective, this year has been one of mixed fortunes (and I’m being generous). So when I sat down to think about what I have to be grateful for, I can’t believe I’m admitting this, I felt truly weighed down, angry, frustrated and a little hateful. What, indeed? I’m 24 and I haven’t really reached any particular renown (I’m a megalomaniac, I know). I haven’t met many of my lifelong goals and I’m, like, halfway through life. Most days I feel like I’m rushing around like a chicken with my head cut off, and find my relationships suffer as a result of my frenetic way of life. I do insanely impulsive, impractical and stupid things that rarely end up the way I think they will, and as bemusing as they are, they can be equally disastrous and intense.

And then I realized how much I was focusing on myself.

I know it might sound really corny (oh how I love that word!), but it took me about two seconds after I pulled my head out from the sand to realize how many amazing people I have in my life- and how much they truly care about me despite my very clear shortcomings, obsessions, craziness and flair for the dramatic (or, alternatively, lack of perspective, as some of you prefer to call it). I’m very, very lucky to have found so many people who will put up with me, even if its because you feel sorry for me because I’m a lunatic and a spinster.

So THANK YOU. Yes, you. If you’re reading this, you deserve more personal thanks than I can give and all my love from across the oceans, borders, valleys, open road, blocks, offices or even desks that separate us at this moment.

Sending out a million xxxxxxxxx’s and a BIG (and early- but its never too early to start celebrating!) Happy Thanksgiving to you, even if you don’t celebrate it. You literally make my life, no dependent clause needed.