A Circle's Round...

It's that time of year when I reflect more than usual about the bounty of things I am thankful for.  It makes sense, it being Thanksgiving tomorrow...in the United States at least.  I have a personal practice of remembering to be thankful for various happenings throughout my days.  One day it will be a  surprise text from a friend I haven't heard from in a while, or maybe being able to see the moon hanging over the harbor, or something as simple as walking down the street and having a stranger smile and say "Hello!" to me.  But right now, on this Thanksgiving Eve, I am thinking about the "Big Thankfuls" I have going on in my life right now.

My dad re-tying my mattress on the van
in Medford, OR; Day 2 of moving me up to PA

In my room I have pictures of my family all over every surface.  There is a picture of my mom and dad on their wedding day; pictures of me and Kath in Seattle and New York City in their respective city frames; a whole family picture from the Alaskan cruise 17 of us went on in July; one of my grandma, Kath and me from about 10 years ago; and my favorite, which sits right next to my bed, a photo booth set Kath and I took at the State Fair this past summer.  I'm guessing you can tell what I am thankful for the most this year.  My family is amazing.  I am thankful that they claim me as one of their clan.  I have been all over the place this year in trying to decide what to do after graduating, and they patiently listened to my pipe dreams of finding the perfect farming apprenticeship where I could have learned to grow my own food and how the earth works and sustains my brothers and sisters.  They listened as I contemplated applying to teach English overseas.  They wished me luck as I had my first AmeriCorps interview from the cruise ship in Skagway, AK.  And then they held my hand and wiped my tears and hugged me hard as they helped me say good-bye to Sacramento and hello to the Pacific Northwest.  My mom and dad graciously moved me up and helped me cross the bridge of living in a different place for the very first time.  My sister has carved out time to talk at least weekly, if not more, and we can stay caught up on each other's triumphs, challenges, and "Aydos!"

The North Olympic AmeriCorps Team at the end of training

I am thankful for my AmeriCorps teammates who have made me feel accepted, especially my housemates, Marie and Megan.  I have a safe place where I can talk to someone if I need to or can go hole up in my room and know that regardless of which I do I still feel welcomed and wanted.  I am thankful for my kitchen table, where there have been heart-to-hearts, girl talks, laughing fits and life talks.  I am thankful I am surrounded by people who, from the start, have wanted to make this more than a job and more than co-workers and create a community.  I'm still getting to know people and deepen my friendships with others, but I already know that I will be friends with some of these guys and gals for years and years to come.

A place I was thankful to be at...

Lastly, for tonight, I am thankful for this Earth.  She is kind and gracious and especially gorgeous in my neck of the woods.  So many days I think to myself or marvel aloud as to how fortunate I feel to be in this place that is pure beauty.  The mountains peeping up in my backyard.  The water of the Strait of Juan de Fuca shining blue and glassy.  The green green green trees that provide oxygen for my lungs to digest.  The waves that crash, and the purple and green and blue clouds, and the deer running through yards, and the seagulls that call, and the bright moons, and the golden sun rays.  This is a place to be thankful for.  Any place is a place to be thankful for.  We must remember to open our eyes and see the good that is in front of us and be thankful for being able to see that beauty.  Be thankful for the time we have spent wherever we have been.  When I was in fourth grade one of the fourth grade teachers encouraged us to say "Thank you" to a fish we were going to dissect.  At the time I didn't think much of it, but the idea stuck with me.  I am thankful for being able to dip my finger tips in the water lapping the lake shores and crashing onto the beaches.  I am thankful for the salty kisses of the mist from waves.  I am thankful for fresh, white snow powder to fall in and make a snow angel.  I am thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!  May all of you have love and happiness and thankfulness in your heart today and always.  I am thankful for you.