Wow. There've been some excellent posts, here, and I thank you all for participating. Let's keep it going!
For me, first, I'll say I'm thankful for people who know they have something for which to be thankful.
(Heck, without them, this'd just be a post, and not a thread!)
I think no one did or probably could say it better than Jan, and for those and many other reasons, I'm thankful for her, and Mina and Greg -- wonderful people all who've taken me into their family, and to whom I'm so very grateful.
There are so many awesome folks here, I'd be afraid of leaving some out if I tried to list all of those close to me by name, but I'd like to thank every host of a gathering I've attended who gave me the opportunity to enjoy their company and the company of others, every woman I've gotten to play with as I continue to learn, every person on here who is welcoming and interesting and interested in engaging with real people, every friend I've met in person or only gotten to know over PMs and e-mails, and even those at the other end of the spectrum -- you have all taught me much.
I'm a believer that how you conduct yourself in any given situation is at least a partial reflection of who you are in life, and so, for those in the P&R Forum and beyond, I'm thankful for those folks whose passion for truth moves them to seek facts and take action rather than remain ignorant; for everyone who embraces deliberation rather than prejudice, who engages inquiry before assumption, and for those who listen before they lecture. And among those who find themselves falling into traps like I’ve described (which counts for just about all of us sooner or later), I’m thankful still for those willing to use dialogue and an open mind to resolve their differences, come to a reasonable conclusion, and earnestly try to get at the truth. They are the ones who make civility and decency possible, and give honor to the term "human being".
I'm thankful for all of us who learn and decide to keep learning, who keep themselves free of strict ideology and engage ration and/or pragmatism instead.
I'm thankful to everyone who's had the time and willingness to listen to me when I was in need this year, especially regarding the passing of my mother from cancer.
I'm thankful for everything that she and my father taught me about morality, honor, compassion, responsibility, and the importance of being kind, wholly honest and decent, and I try to embody these every day.
I'm thankful that my remaining family is healthy and secure, and that I'm still my little nephew's favorite person in the world.
I'm thankful that I have honorable and challenging work.
I'm thankful to have been cast in a new play benefitting our local Domestic Violence Center, and for a cast who makes it a pleasure to attend rehearsal.
I'm thankful to everyone who's going to forgive me for not wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving in a timely manner, because I've been crazy busy...
And I'm thankful to have been given the brain that I have. I think it's done a pretty good job so far.
