Gratitude Overflowing

I think I am going to make a bold proclamation and state for the record that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Oh now, now, Christmas, don’t be sad… and Chanukah, let’s be honest, you haven’t been in the running for some time now. I mean, we don’t even really know how to spell you properly: Chanukah? Hanukkah?? What is it already? I want you to be my number one, I really do… with your potato latkes and eight nights of celebration. (eight nights of presents!) We’ve tried to spruce you up a bit, infuse some “Hallmark” sheen into your repertoire. It’s just not happening. I’m so sorry.

But Thanksgiving… Thanksgiving, you are my perfect holiday. I love everything about you. Aside from some minor conventional fluff (cartoon turkeys, pilgrims… an occasional Indian), you have managed to escape most consumer-driven, pop-culture mania. Well, all but the whole overindulgence, super-size-me, perpetuating the obesity-epidemic thing. But you know what? Whatever. It would be un-American not to stuff our faces. So you are contributing to our ever-expanding waistlines? I forgive you. We all have flaws. The great thing about you Thanksgiving is that you are exactly who you say you are, and you inspire us to do exactly what you instruct us to… Thanks Giving.

Here’s the problem: I have too much Thanks to Give. I do. My cup is overflowing with gratitude. I’m drowning in it. This year my husband beat cancer. How do you feasibly manage to thank the doctor that rushed his tests for what turned out to be an aggressive disease? Dr. Sender and his team saved Angelo’s life. How do you thank the man who introduced us? How do you thank the hundreds of people who kept faith and sent their light and prayers and support, daily, shining love upon us unreservedly?

I open my arms and my heart wide to the universe and shine all of the light and all of the love I have within me. I send it to you. I send it to all of you who have touched my life this year. Every single one of you. My strong and resilient husband who has inspired me and loved me fully and unconditionally for exactly who I am; my amazing parents who have given me the skills to be courageous and the spirit to uncover my path; my beautiful niece who has reminded me that at our center always lies boundless pure unadulterated bliss; my brother and sister for your unwavering support (all of my brothers and sisters); all of my family, near and far, whether we talk every day or once a year; all of the people who are in my life or have just stepped into my life who I also call my family; Sue, Lauren, Bruce, Paul, Lennie, Carol, LuAnne, Roy, Melba, Kathie, Nichole, Patty, Kristin, Holly, Charlotte.

You have inspired me. You have each paved my way. You are always with me. A piece of you lives within me evermore.

How can I utterly express my gratitude for the impact you have made on my life? I really can’t. Not completely. I cannot possibly spill my heart on this page justly. All I have are these words, two in particular, and I offer them to you now in honor of my very favorite holiday, with everything that I am made of:

Thank you.