Thanksgiving

This year is the first year since moving out on my own that I won't be spending Thanksgiving with my family. The logistics of it just weren't lining up this year, which is too bad but can't be helped. I've got a ham for us here, so there will be a dinner of sorts (tomorrow, tonight was salmon).

What am I thankful for? I've got a good job. I've got a girl who loves me and who I love. I've got a nice home and a bright future. I've got some great friends, some of whom I met right here on the TFP. One of my friends I met here is putting on a show later this month as part of what I know has been a very long and difficult labour of love for him, and I'm thankful that I'm able to attend and show my support. I've had some health issues, but I've got good doctors, and I'm able to pursue treatment without worrying about driving myself into the poorhouse -- I'm thankful for that as well.

On reflection, I don't know if I stop often enough and take stock of all of the things I have to be grateful for. All in all, life's handed me a pretty good hand. Some of it has been my own hard work and initiative and I do acknowledge and take pride in that, but there are so many factors and so many people who contributed to making me into the man I am today and putting me in the position I'm in that I'd be a fool not to acknowledge it.

Phil's passing has me in a bit of a reflective mood, I think. I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but he certainly made an impression on me. He lived life on his terms, and he did it well. It's cliche to say that I hope to be the man he was, I think, and it's not completely true; I mean, I want to be me. But if I had to pick someone to follow I could do a lot worse.

My mother had a health scare earlier this year. It didn't end up in this space because it was done and over with so quickly that by the time I had all the facts straight we were through the other side. I'm thankful that I don't have to deal with cancer in my own family, and that losing her isn't something I have to face yet. I don't know how I'll do it when the time comes. I just will, because sooner or later it has to be done. I guess.

Rest well, Phil. I suspect we're all thinking of you, and those of us who are celebrating can give thanks that our lives were enriched by having you in them.

 

Happy Thanksgiving. I'm a bit late, but it's because I spent the past four days in the mountains.

I'm thankful for that and much more.