Day of Thanks and Mourning

Every year so far I have opted to enjoy the day with my family, who have no interest in taking part in this remembrance. But I am grateful that this event exists and to those who do take part. I am grateful as well for this day in which, for the most part, business and normal activities come to a halt. I know this is not necessarily true for those who work in restaurants and drugstores, hospitals or movie theaters, fire departments or airports or train stations, and so many other categories of work that allow the rest of us to travel and deal with medical emergencies.
Nor do I forget that in many households, it is a day when women may face greater kitchen responsibilities and pressures to produce a feast while men watch football. Nor that this holiday arose from the tragedy of our Civil War that left so many dead or wounded and yet began the all-too-slow progress toward liberation and equality.
I am not grateful that so many of my favorite radio programs and podcasts and news outlets have devoted the last couple of days to reports on how best to cook a turkey.
I am, however, grateful for my family, my friends, my community, and for nature whose rhythms continue despite disruption. I am grateful for the onset of winter cold, and grateful that I have housing with heat that protects me and my loved ones. More and more, people around us are lacking this basic need.
I hope that all who read this will find a moment to reflect on good fortune and shared responsibility and appreciate any moments of relief the day might bring from business as usual.
Thanks to you too for illuminating for us what this day represents for other suffering people. It is sometimes for me a day where I feel a bit melancholy that I usually am NOT with my family as others gather but then I too am grateful for the fact that though I live in a funky old cold house I DO have a roof over my head and food to eat and– knock on wood–good health and am able to take a hike or walk and can see, smell and feel nature. I’m grateful for the wonderful folks in the world (who counteract all the horrible racist, anti-semitic idiots) and in my neighborhood who stand for justice, equality and kindness and the friendly strangers and dogs I pass on my meanderings.
Thanks, Wendy. I am grateful as well for you and all the other artists who are bringing fresh ways of seeing the world to the rest of us.