Thanksgiving 

This is a funny time of year for me. I was married thanksgiving weekend, I finished cancer treatment thanksgiving weekend, my marriage ended thanksgiving weekend. It tends to be emotionally loaded. It was also something my ex-boyfriend and I had issues over - my being invited and then uninvited to Thanksgiving at his parents because his daughter "couldn't handle it."

This year, I am driving up north with a car full of groceries and my daughter to cook dinner for a dear friend, an ex-boyfriend actually, that is waiting for a liver transplant. He can't leave to be with his family, so we are going to him. I feel good about it. It feels like I am doing something good for all of us.

If we were staying here, I think we would probably go volunteer at a soup kitchen and have dinner with friends. Maybe go for a hike and talk about all the things we have to be grateful for, starting with each other.

I like the idea of a day of gratitude and a day of people helping each other, which is what the original thanksgiving meal in 1621 was really about. Strangers helping strangers, sharing their food and their company and their wisdom. We all need that from time to time.

Lately, I've been meeting with a few friends to talk about our lives, what's not working, what is and to support each other in reaching our goals. It's not always easy, last week I broke down sobbing, but support is like that. It is something that can sometimes feel uncomfortable when you're not used to it, but also feel wonderful. And giving support to others is a way of learning your own lessons and how to treat yourself with love and respect.

So although this is an emotionally loaded time, it is also a time to really key in on what matters to me; the people I love, the gifts I have in my life and the service I can be to others.

And I can go back to whining on November 28th. :)