Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving, Americans! In addition to being a time for ret-conned history parables, overindulging on the gobbler that could have been our patriotic bird, watching football, hanging out with family, and making good use of our sweatpants, today is a day for being thankful, so I thought I’d take the time to remember things I am thankful for.

Thankful in 2013

• I am thankful I am born in a country and in a time where food is abundant, the quality of life is good, where I have the right to vote, where my life is not threatened, where I have access to healthcare, and where I can pursue my dreams. (Sadly, this is not true everywhere. And yes, several of those points could be improved, but this is the thankful list, not the complaining or political list.)
• Turkey feast. With mashed potatoes. Extra mashed potatoes.
• I am grateful that my family and dearest friends are in good health and have good nutrition available.
• I am blessed to be able to spend all my free time writing my third novel.
• I am shocked beyond imagining that I found a good partner, with a good heart and strong mind, who wants to spend the rest of his life with me. This is an incredible blessing.
• I have two fuzzy critters to keep my days interesting.
• I’m thankful for the lifesaving medications I can access that make my life easier and better.
• I am grateful that I have the freedom of expression, and can speak out against political injustices as I see them…or just write weekly blog posts if I so choose.
• I have a stable job that allows me to use my background while remaining energized for my side business and writing.
• We live in a time of wonder, where we can interact with each other, wherever we are, and even with some of our icons. This is an incredible power, unthinkable to generations before us, but it’s easy for us to take it for granted.
• We live at the intersection of a new era in publishing. It’s hectic now, but I look forward to the many opportunities to come.
• I can get themed shows on Netflix.
• I am thankful for books. All the books.
• I have the internet. I can look up things in an instant, or spend hours learning new things or just watching cat videos. All Hail the Internet.

What are you thankful for, today and every day?

(Also, happy extremely rare Hanukkah, everybody!)