Thanksgiving

What I am thankful for today...

1. My Husband
SMS is really coming into his own in his career. Last night he said these exact words: "Teaching 9th and 10th grade World History and coaching basketball is really a dream come true. I don't know how this happened!" I told him it was because he was smart and worked hard and had an uncanny rapport with teenagers. He's really good at his job and when he's happy at work he is even more fun to be around. I am thankful we found each other and that we are surviving the current transition in our life. I am also grateful to his employer for providing health insurance for both of us free of charge. That has given me the freedom to look for a job that will be right for me and not to jump at the first thing that comes along...not that anything has actually come along yet...


2. My Cats
Henry and Mae have also had a rough transition to the West Coast, but they are still the cutest, sweetest, most wonderful friends to us. We feel lucky that even when we are having a great time on vacation, we look forward to going home to see our furry friends. These days Henry sleeps right between us and though Mae is a bit more independent (preferring the red chair or ottoman), every once in a while she'll spend the night at the foot of the bed. She did last night! Thanks to the Prozac, Mae is peeing in the box again and thanks to the change in climate, Henry is throwing up less. I know it doesn't sound like much, but I am very grateful for the two of them.

3. My Family















I have a small family: I have one brother. My mom has one sister. My dad had one brother. When you tell someone you've just moved across the country they often ask:
"Do you have family out here?"
When I say "No," they often ask:
"Are you close to your family?"
" I am," I say.
I basically text or talk to my brother every day. I email or talk to my mom daily. I am in touch with my three first cousins frequently. (I've always been close with J, but as an adult I have become close to A and R also and they all mean so much me.) I also have a couple "fake" or "not exactly cousins" who mean a great deal to me. And even though around the holidays it is hard not to feel sad for all the family I've lost, it's important to me to focus on all the love they brought into my life before they left. Sometimes I feel like I've lost more love than some people have in a lifetime, but then I remember you can't really lose love, you just have to look for it harder.

4. My Friends Out Here
K&M, R&D and L have made this transitions not only easier than it would have been otherwise but fun, too! I don't know what we would have done without them. I don't like to think about it! We're spending today with R&D and their family. We're very thankful they have included us.




5. My Friends Everywhere















We left behind a lot of important people in New York. We also have friends all over the world that we wish we could see more often. Thanks to the wonders of the internet and unlimited long distance it's easier to keep in touch than it once was (like back when I got yelled at monthly for my phone bill due to my summer camp friends in other states!) but certainly IM, email and phone calls don't compare to hanging out. I feel lucky to be the kind of person who can fall back into friendships pretty easily even after months or years of little contact, but it doesn't mean I miss my friends any less.

6. My Challenges
Although sometimes I like to pretend I'm perfect, I know I have a lot to work on. I appreciate the situations in my life that have allowed for (and continue to allow for!) growth.

7. My Health and The Health of Those Around Me
Even though my back has been acting up and I miss my D.O. in New York terribly, I'm thankful that my health problems are minor and manageable. My family has seen it's share of tragedy in the health area, but I am grateful this year that everyone seems to be doing ok.

8. Football
You heard me, FOOTBALL! GO STILLERS!

Love to all and Happy Thanksgiving!