Giving Thanks

Only in the last couple of days or weeks have I started really thinking about this whole Thanksgiving holiday. Like most traditional holidays, we celebrate it and honor its traditions of giving thanks for our blessings. However, who are we really thanking for all this? My husband is a heathen Athiest scientist doctor, and I am currently mad at God for playing games with us "little people." Are we thanking him/her?

Is it possible to be thankful FOR something but not TO anyone in particular? I'd like to think so. Because I AM thankful for a lot of things. Did GOD grant these things to me? Fate? Chance? I don't know. But this I DO know. I am thankful for:

• My wonderful heathen, Athiest scientist doctor husband
• My three fantastic, diverse, and annoying children
• My bazillion bizarre and crazy pets
• My mother's new healthy liver and the donor who was kind enough to give it
• My friends far and near
• My health
• Good movies
• Good food
• Good booze
• My MacBook Pro 17"
• Our Nikon D2x
• My Prius and all the goodness it entails
• The fact that I am too smart to join the hordes of dumbasses elbowing each other for "good deals" at 4 a.m. on Black Friday

Happy Turkey Day, all! Gobble, gobble! (Except we're eating free-range local chicken...)

Comments

[vigilant20]

If you are trying to drive away readers...congrats, it worked.

[BlueLikeTheSky]

And I am thankful to the universe for people like you and your family who persevere through amazing adversity with smiles and optimism and a wonderful spirit of inquiry.

I'm thinking of adopting a new motto: certainty is the ultimate arrogance.

I, too, wonder about the "directionality" of my thanksgiving these days. But I do know that, despite my problems, I have much good in my life. Your friendship is one of those things.

Happy Free Range Chicken Day!

[Lori V.]

Wow. I'm really sorry you feel that way.

Is it because you're planning to get up and shop on Black Friday? Because I'm married to an Athiest doctor? Because I'm currently experiencing a crisis of faith? I really was not aware that any of this is considered offensive.

[RedMolly]

At our Thanksgiving dinner, we raised our glasses and gave thanks... to each other, just for being there. And to our chefs (um, me & Jim). No god-thanking required; just heartfelt gratitude. And of course, some delicious and fine wine.

I stand in admiration of your grateful and optimistic spirit through these tough times. Rock on; I'm thankful for YOU!