Gratefulness

Reflecting on difficulties past and freedoms found at my first American Thanksgiving.

A lovely friend invited me to be part of her extended family’s Thanksgiving celebration on the Gulf Coast. I had never experienced American Thanksgiving and this family is extraordinary in so many ways, including by how incredibly welcoming they all are. And there’s like 150 of them gathered here. (Yes, we wear name tags; talk about appreciating the little things…)

I don’t mean to gas on very long today, just to note that after years of difficulties and hardship, I have found peace, joy and healing, for which I feel and express gratitude every single day. I want to tell anyone who’s struggling that there is light at the end of the tunnel even if you can’t see it yet. I promise you there is. Just keep walking in the direction you know is right. I’ll be rooting for you.

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends, no matter where on this wonderful old ball of a planet you are.