Gratitude

My favorite time of year! Thanksgiving, the Horn of Plenty, Cornucopia and all that jazz. I love it. I will say what I am thankful for in no particular order of importance or delight.

I am thankful for what is left of my mind. I am still sharp. I see things and have intuition. I can still tell when I am being lied to. (Lies try to hide, but they just can't help themselves. They are like children hiding behind the couch. It's no fun unless they are revealed. That's another blog.). I can write a clever story right now, or I can laugh with you, at you, and at myself. I know some shit.

Which brings me to my heart. I am thankful for that. It's been through the meat grinder, but like all matter, it still exists no matter the form. Solid, liquid, vapor, who cares? It's still here and beating and loving.

My kids. Well, they aren't kids. They are my family. My support, my reason. My joy. My tangible evidence that God sees me and likes me.

Johnny Mason. My friend for life. The King of Catering. The Elvis of Keystone. The George Baily of our time. A follower of this blog for some reason. A good, good soul. And behind the greatness...Valerie. These people are angels in my life.

My friends. The people that are in my universe. They float in my solar system, not around me like I would have it, but about me, here and there. They make life the awesome, whimsical, meaningful journey that it is. There are too many to name. I am in great company.

For Tracy. I have learned a lot about me with him and because of him.

The stars on cool nights. Football and gumbo. Pinot Noir. Sex. Music and beauty.

Thank You for life. I am talking to God now. I know it's hip to not believe in You, but I do. I believe the whole thing. You are my crutch. My non-intellectual faith in something I can't see or feel. You are my hope that this is not just for nothing. That eternity is not the freaky, too permanent thing that I imagine. You refuse to make sense to us. That's kind of funny. I have no idea why we are here, living here, doing this stuff. I don't get it, but I will continue to do it. I will try to learn today my lesson so I don't have to learn it the next day. I will try to be someone who trusts even though people are douches. I will try to live up to the heart in my chest that you have issued to me. I hope I am one of your good ones. Thanks again.