Things to Be Thankful For

Summer n' Graham

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays on the planet, because we get to celebrate all that we have by eating a TON of delicious food with a bunch of people you at least kind of love. Not a bad way to celebrate. This of course rules out all the stress that it can involve, like traveling and family dynamics, and terrible moments of eater's remorse.

Last year I got up at 5 in the morning and drove 9 hours from Santa Cruz to San Diego to pick up Graham at the airport and spend the weekend meeting his family for the first time. It was INTENSE. They were all so sweet--the Parsons clan welcomed me openly, and tried to make me as comfortable as possible. Yet, the 21 hour roundtrip drive by myself, and all that smiling and no alone time with my boyfriend, who I only got to see once a month, was EXHAUSTING. Plus, there are certain things that I missed about my own family's Thanksgiving meal. Real whipped cream, for one, as apposed to Cool Whip. Or hearing great music, (everything from Cassandra Wilson to Neil Young)while cooking all day.

This year will be a little bit different, because Graham and I are on our own for the holiday. I'm actually kind of excited. I can't think of a better way to spend the day than cooking all day and watching movies, with my sweet man.

Which reminds me of what I REALLY like about this holiday. It's the time to really think about all you have and say thank you. I've been a big old complaining machine lately, but there is A LOT always, to celebrate, to say *PHEW!* I am so relieved about, so grateful for. Although I am jobless, we still have enough money to buy a small turkey, some stuffing, and yes, REAL whipping cream for the pumpkin pie I am making tonight. But mostly, I am so thankful for what appears in the picture above. Wherever I am, as long as I am with Graham, I am with family. For this alone, I say Thank you thank you thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving.