12/05/2004: "Thanksgiving"

This is a bit late, but it has been on my mind.

I am thankful for my family, both old and new: Kristin, Kevin, Mom, Dad, Mags, Curt, Marian, Gran, Boogie, Lisa, Joe, Laura, Nicholette, M.F., Wendy, Sister, Jim, Valerie, Jeff, the boys, Ta, Uncle D, D's kids, Walter, Ray, Oma, and Opa. I am thankful for my friends: Jason, M.J., Erik, Liz, Tom, Michelle, Andrew, Bill, Tara, Jay, Leah, Kim, Tim, Sarah, Jen, Dan, Laura, Mike, Terry, Jen, Greg, Elise, Katie, Paddock, Lynn, Jill, Ethan, Trevor, Matt, Andy, and many more spread across the globe. I am thankful for my parrot, Misha. I am thankful for my wedding. I am thankful for my jobs, for my students, for my coworkers, for my peers, and my studies. I am thankful for virtual collaborators over the past year, especially Rael and Hadley. I am thankful for the kindness of strangers and odd coincidences. I am thankful for my readers and those who find what I produce useful. I am thankful for vague internet associations with other blogs who are friends to my blog, although me and their authors don't know one another.

I am thankful for all the joy and blessings of the past year and of my entire life. I am thankful for my enemies and the pains and problems of my life, for they have shaped me and made me stronger.

I am thankful to God for blessing me with all the above and more that I didn't manage to fit in the above because of my own limits, inadequacies, and flaws. I am thankful that these inadequacies and flaws are overlooked and that I am smiled upon.