The Universal Language of Gratitude
For us Americans, November means one thing: Thanksgiving.
It seems ironic that we have put one of our most immoral and offensive holidays on such a pedestal. But then again, Americans haven’t always been the north star of great morals.
The one thing we do get right, however, is the celebration of gratitude for our lives and our loved ones at this time of year.
I won’t lie, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
And it’s my favorite holiday for the simplest of reasons, a reason that makes it sound silly to rely on a holiday for:
Nothing makes my heart fuller than sitting around a dinner table, with family, friends, and loved ones sharing delicious food, and sharing love.
I feel the tears building in the back of my eyes just thinking and writing about these fond memories. I envision the many tables I’ve sat at and hear laughter. I smell my Uncle Larry’s’ apple crumble heating up in the oven. I hear Norah Jones serenading the group as my dad pulls the cork out of another bottle of Pinot Noir. I taste my Aunt Beth’s chunky, mushroom-filled sourdough stuffing, thankful today is a day calories don’t exist.
I see the tall vase of white Hydrangeas my mom trimmed on the table. I hear the Grateful Dead jam session that breaks out as my Uncle…
