Thanksgiving thanks.

November in the desert of Arizona shows few of the November sights that pull at my heartstrings as I listen to Charlie Parker’s “Autumn in New York”, a 1950’s recording that belies its still relevant avant-garde sounds. There, out the side of the house, a bush, a scrub oak’s little leaves are golden and red. It occurs to me today is a day about ‘now’.

Christmas is about love and giving. Easter, the spring and renewal. My birthday is about me. Thanksgiving, is an American holiday, similar to Fourth of July but, it’s not that American, it’s just ours collectively as individuals to pause and reflect on where we have come to, and with what to support us. Thanks means we didn’t do it alone. We crowdsource life as it must be.

The day is open to all, inclusive and just about thanks. It’s often centered about a traditional meal but it’s really the gathering of family and friends we include as family. Chocolate and Chip have been pardoned at the silly traditional pardoning that’s done by the president each year. Wouldn’t do without it. The parade. Good to know it’s happening wether it’s watched or not. Tradition plays strongly in Thanksgiving and yet every year becomes the past to cherish so quickly.

Thanks goes out and we are surrounded in good feelings and memories too of what we we’re grateful for.

Observations from this writer are that the general feeling of life as tumbling down a mountainside is abating. I’m grateful. Covid is being managed. I’m grateful. The country is taking a small break from fighting among itself and I’m grateful as things can always be worse. Time. I’m most grateful for the luxury of time to think and thank and take a breath. I’m thinking also of my distant relations in Ukraine. I consider everyone in Ukraine, distant relations and I’m grateful for every day they prevail. I’m thinking of all the beautiful and weird critters in the world and how they manage also to hang in there as we continue to hope to gain control over climate problems.

So much to find in the world, in my life that is good and may or may not last but it is good today. Today I am grateful and today I give thanks.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.