Merci.

There's a lot I have to be thankful for. A lot. Above all else I'm glad that my family even though we may be spread apart are extremely close. 

My mom is alive. 

Even though she suffered a stroke that could have easily killed her, her strong willed spirit kept her going. I couldn't be more grateful.

My father is employed.

 In this tough economy my Dad is running his own business and working full time. He's the rock of my family. 

My brother is in college.

My brother bore the biggest brunt of the change that the stroke brought upon my household. He may have had his rough patches but he never stopped fighting. He is the role model of dedication to your passion and your art. As a big sister I couldn't be more proud. 

I'm on a new journey.

I'm grateful that I was given this chance to explore a new direction in my life. I'm blessed to have support and love back home from family and friends who care about me deeply. 

I have friends.

They may be back home and far far away but they are there. They love me and fill me with wisdom. 

I have a cat.

He's my angel, my sweetheart, my bubby.

I have 3 families.

My kiddos back home are the light in my heart and a day doesn't pass that I'm not looking at their picture or wondering what they are doing. I have a new adopted family that has bestowed me with kindness and open hearts. 

I'm alive.

I'm here. I'm ready to make a difference. I was put here to spread love and kindness. 

Above all else I'm grateful to have a roof over my head, food in my belly , love in my heart and wisdom to impart. 

I spent my first Thanksgiving away from home in Anchorage, Alaska. We stayed at NanNan's house last night after a long drive up. D's family who live in town came over with a bushel of food. NanNan's room-mate was extra kind and made me a vegan quinoa loaf and tofu spinach dip. Everyone was so accommodating in making me dishes that I could eat. Man was the food delicious. I got to play with the girl's cousins, one of whom just turned one. What a little pumpkin. She came toddling right over to me and let me swoosh her through the air. D had a craving and an idea to make turtle cheesecake. Let me interrupt to say that I broke more vegan vows today than I have in a LONG time. Back home it's tradition for me to be in charge of desserts. I'm pretty decent with savory dishes but baking is more my forte. I have to say for being a brain dead zombie those cheesecakes were mighty mighty tasty. 

We ate around noon thirtyish here. I was able to "see" my family on Skype and it brought me to tears that I couldn't be there with them today. Like I said before I'm just glad we're all together. 

Later in the evening we traveled down the road to a friend of D's. They all knew each other from nursing school and working together at the local hospital. I didn't really know any one and just enjoyed watching all the kiddos running around and general people watching. There was a point where I was sitting at the table and all these people are discussing their big hunting excursions and what they killed and how they dressed it. Little did they know there was a vegetarian in their midst. It made me chuckle inside. The evening was nice but we were all tuckered out and headed for home. 

So I'm wishing everyone a wonderful Kill a Turkey Day. Count your blessing no matter how small and don't be afraid to tell your friends you love them and shower them with hugs.