The Forgotten Holiday

I love Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday! I have so many memories of cooking in the kitchen with my mom, helping however I could—considering I refused (and still do!) to stick my hand in that turkey to stuff it.

I'm always disappointed when the stores start playing Christmas music on November 1. I know people are excited for Christmas, but it's like we're all overlooking the wonderful, forgotten holiday of Thanksgiving.

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I'm going to get a little political in this section (so you can skip it, if you want). Thanksgiving represents a time when people come together, despite their differences; they help each other and celebrate what their cooperation has reaped for them. Of course, I am thinking of the "first Thanksgiving," in which the Native Americans helped the settlers at Plymouth, which lead to a bountiful harvest. Together, the settlers and Native Americans feasted. It is so pertinent to be reminded of this during the current turbulent condition of the U.S., between the division caused by the 2016 presidential election and the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline (I stand with Standing Rock). This time of the year should remind us how we need to band together, and yet we are farther apart than ever. As we forget the importance and observance of Thanksgiving—beyond a delicious meal and time of overindulgence—we are forgetting the true meaning of the holiday and how we should approach each day.

[It is not my intention to impose my opinion on anyway; I prefer to focus on the aspect of my job as a writer that brings joy to people, through the creation of worlds and characters for entertainment purposes.]

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Of course, Thanksgiving is also a time to reflect on what we are thankful for.

I must admit that, in preparation of writing this post, I have struggled to think of that for which I am thankful. Of course, I am always thankful for the support and love of my friends and family. I am thankful for my readers who encourage me to pursue my passion. I am thankful for my furbabies, who drive me crazy yet shower me with love and affection.

But this is also a bit of a trying time for me personally. I'm dealing with health issues, both of my own as well as in my family. My day job is always stressful this time of year, and it will be moreso when my assistant finishes out her two weeks' notice. A few relationships have been tried and tested only to fail and disappoint.

These struggles remind me of what I do have to be thankful for: the people who have stuck with me when I needed them most: comforting me when my heart needed respite, kicking my ass into gear when I didn't realize I'd stopped moving forward, and straightening my crown it was lopsided. The 9-to-5 job that permits me enough freedom to spend my nights and weekends pursuing my true passion in life. And the fact that, despite how I may feel some mornings, I am thankful for the fact that I will (1) get out of bed, (2) feed my cats, and (3) take care of business like the strong and capable young woman that I am.