thanksgiving.twenty14

Each year around the Thanksgiving holiday I attempt to sum up what the experiences of that year has left me most thankful for. Unlike the years prior, I have spent several days wandering the halls of my countless thoughts, unsure how to summarize my gratitude. But as I sat at the dinner table today with my partner and great friends, breaking bread and exchanging belly laughs, I realized that I had over-analyzed my thankful list entirely. I know, I know, big surprise there! Instead of pondering the many emotions that accompany life's natural and constant ebb & flow, I failed to recount the joy I have in my heart for simply waking up today with good health. I failed to recount the contentment I finally feel in my soul for having a warm, loving, beautiful guy to come home to each evening. And the wonderful friends near and far in my life, well that feeling of security they bring me is probably more than I deserve. Then there's the blood related family that loves me unconditionally and thinks I walk on water; they give me the peace in my soul that no amount of money or worldly goods could parallel. That mother of mine is a queen in my eyes. Being her son gives me the confidence I need to survive anything life's journey might hurl in my direction. She thinks I am silly for saying this but I know she was born to be a star. She outshines everyone when she walks in any room and she can melt the heart of the coldest being with her beauty and with the softness in her voice. But she is too humble for stardom. She needs no recognition and that's what makes her my lifelong idol. Finally, pride. If you're lucky enough in this lifetime you'll meet a friend or two that is more than just a friend. They don't even need to be someone you see often. They believe in you and would follow you thru the gates of hell and back to ensure your happiness and their confidence in you makes you levitate with pride. I call them cheerleaders! I am fortunate enough to have known a few, but one in particular deserves mentioning today. Kim Childress Rivenbark has proved her loyalty to me many times over and has had nothing to gain from doing so. She can be thousands of miles away and will sense my soul aching and knows just what I need to hear to give me the pride to peel myself off the ground and to stand against whatever oppresses me. Her confidence in me is inspiring as I wish more of us would strive to be cheerleaders. Again, I have a few other beautiful souls in mind, but they know who they are. Kim, thank you. Cheerleaders in my life, thank you. Jesse, thank you for loving me. Friends and family, no words will ever be able to express my love and gratitude for each of you. I am a product of my environment, and I am thankful for it. .