As the glazed leg of pork continues to roast in my oven and my brother plays X-Men for the umpteenth time, I pause to give thanks for the many blessings in my life. I’m one person in a tiny percentage worldwide that will sit down to a feast today with a house full of relatives. I recognize my good fortune, particularly the following things:
*I am thankful for my family. My funny Dad. My sometimes neurotic but always loving Mom. My witty brother. They are the greatest gifts God has offered me. There is a saying that you can’t choose your family. Whoever chose mine really likes me.
*I am thankful for my best friend Ruben. 2006 will be our 10th year as friends. He’s the only man who can call me at 2am with whom I will actually have a full conversation. He has seen me at my worst and still treats me as if I am the best.
*I am thankful for my best girlfriends: Ade, Lisa, and Letty. They are beautiful inside and out and I’m so proud to have them in my life.
*I am thankful for being single. I am enjoying the ups and downs of a relationship with myself. I’m learning to appreciate the woman I am which,in turn, helps me realize my worth.
*I am thankful for the gift of technology. Whether it’s reconnecting with old friends via MySpace, blogging, or snapping pictures with my phone, technology has helped me enjoy the relationships that enrich my life.
*I am thankful for my body. I don’t have cervical cancer. I am blessed with those extra 10-15 pounds. That may sound odd, as jealous as I’ve been of my marathon-running blogging peers, but having spent time in Peru, I realize I am lucky to not experience hunger.
*I am thankful for my trip to Peru. I still miss the dust, the noise, the worn faces of my people. But for the first time in nearly a decade, I felt I fit.
*I am thankful for my job. Finally, I can help young people make better choices to become better individuals without worrying about test scores. In my office, I am surrounded by people I respect.
*I am thankful for my gift of writing. Words have always been my outlet and my comfort zone. I use them to inspire, comfort, and to prompt laughter.
*I am thankful for my relationship with God. We are best friends.

Happy Thanksgiving. May you feast abundantly on love and peace.