Feeling very, very Thankful

Turkey Day. Normally I would be, at this hour, cozied up next to a fire in Atlanta, GA preparing for the feast of the year. Everyone would be there....Mom, Aunt Betty and Uncle Geoff, Bettina, Svea, Geoff and Beverly, and in the afternoon Nancy, Jeff and Molly.

This year, however, if you're reading this now, you know that I have been in Germany. This year, Thanksgiving will be a little different. Without the feast, without the family, without the stuffing, both literal and figurative. Without the annual watching of Home Alone, or the annual overeating, or the leftover Thanksgiving sandwich.

But do we gather with family and friends over a feast year after year to whine about what we do not have? Of course not. We gather over dinner to be thankful for that which we do have and are blessed to have. This year, more than ever, I certainly will not be without the spirit of Thanksgiving. I want to dedicate this post today to some things that I am truly thankful for.

I am thankful...

1. that the universe led me to this experience abroad

2. for my wonderful host family and the chance to live in and explore Düsseldorf

3. for my real family, and the wonderful traditional Thanksgiving that I remember

4. for all the beautiful friendships I have fostered abroad. for the worldwide network of friends i now have

5. for meeting Kai Diederichsen and allowing myself to realize that I deserve to be treated with love and respect

6. for Facebook, allowing me to preserve the wonderful friendships I have at home.

7. that my mom is recovering like a champion and almost fully restored to her healthy self

8. for the wonderful gift of music and the opportunity to explore it

9. that I will get to spend 2 whole weeks in this great city with my dear friend, Clare.

10. that I will get to spend 2 wonderful days in the marvelous city of London with my dear friend, Adele.

11. that I will get to spend New Years Eve in New York City with my dear friends from Pauper Players AND Kai.

12. to have had the opportunity in only 2 years to live in New York City, Texas, and Europe. Wow! What a crazy 2 years it's been!

13. to have the support of friends and family as I move forward pursuing a performing career

I could list many more things, but I have to back upstairs and play with my little Nepomuky, who I am also thankful for. So even though I don't have the extra stuffing or the pecan pie, I think this year I have cause to be more thankful than ever. And, after all, isn't that what Thanksgiving is really about?

Sending much love to my family and friends.