11.27.2014

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving to all you turkeys!

I can't get enough of this Thanksgiving tablescape!


Today (and everyday), I have a lot to be thankful for. As y'all know, 2014 has been a particularly rough year for me. I've griped, whined, and cried a lot over it. I've wallowed in self-pity. That being said, this Thanksgiving, I am trying to be especially mindful and grateful for those things that I have that are taken for granted on a day to day basis. While things have been hard for me this year, they certainly could have been harder; and despite the challenges I have faced, I have always had the basic necessities in life.

First, I am thankful not only to be able to feast and stuff my face today, but to be able to eat every day. I read in this article just last night that "1 in 4 children lives in a food-insecure household."

Second, I am thankful, not only to have clothing, but to have a closet full of pretty things to choose from. As I debated what to wear for today's festivities there are women in parts of the world who don't have that luxury. Women who are required, due to social code, to cover up, to not be seen nor heard.

Third, I am thankful for my literacy. I started reading at a young age and since then, haven't stopped. I feel like something is missing when I don't have a book. Clearly, I also love to write or this blog wouldn't still be around more than 3 years after its start.  Literacy is improving globally, but according to UNICEF (here), there are still 126 million illiterate youth and in parts of Africa, literacy rates fall below 50%. I learned in a training last year, that 3rd grade reading proficiency is a predictor of prison populations. Nelson Mandela said "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nuanced and flawed as it may be, one cannot deny the power of free public education in America.

I could go on and on and on. One can always find something to be thankful for, but that's enough seriousness for one day!

And finally, lat but not least, I wanted to take some time to thank all of YOU, my readers, today! This blog has become a passion of mine, a fabulous creative outlet and a place to be completely me. I have been so excited by its growth in 2014 and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with the people you love!

And finally, I figured I'd close with some Thanksgiving funnies after a more serious post!





What are you most thankful for this year?

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for details on all the best Black Friday sales! (Trust me, the irony of that announcement after this post is not lost on me!)

GOBBLE, GOBBLE!