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This Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for and perhaps the most I have had to be thankful for in my life thus far.  I am perhaps the happiest and healthiest I have ever been, I really do believe.

I have met a man, my one and only, who is an exceptionally positive influence and treats me incredibly well.  He sees and appreciates all aspects of me and reminds me daily that he cares about and wholly values me.  My one and only is an intelligent, strong, and interesting person.

I am, of course, very thankful for my Jasper, as I am thankful for him daily.  Jasper has been the one constant in my life over the past 7 ½ years.  He offers unconditional love, offers great affection, and brings absolute joy to my life.  Along with the gratitude I have for him, I am very thankful that he continues to be healthy and happy.

I am thankful too that I have remained alcohol-free – for the past 139 days in fact.  The decision to stop drinking was the best decision for me.  My life and my relationships are much better because I am now 100% alcohol-free.  I have a clearer mind, healthier body.  I enjoy markedly improved outlets for emotion and expression for sure.

For the increased creativity and channels for such creativity I am quite grateful.  Along with that, I am very thankful for having met an inspiring individual this year (she should know to whom I am referring and I do hope that she does).  I have much to learn from her still and am definitely look forward to it.

In the past several months I have learned much, but one of the greatest lessons has been gratitude.  The new positive mindset I possess brings me greater peace and a more beneficial mindset with which to handle the bumps on life’s journey.  I make every effort to write down my daily blessings, well, daily.  Even on seemingly bad days I can think of at least five or ten things positive in that day.  I was amazed when I realized that even bad days held good moments.

It had never occurred to me to be particularly thankful for having a job before; however, this year I am all too aware of how lucky I am to have a job.  I can count on two hands the number of friends I have had this year jobless.  In my field, I have witnessed what the 10.2% national rate of joblessness means, meeting many of those that embody this statistic.  It is nearly impossible in this economy to find a new one too.

This Thanksgiving I will keep a smile on my face and remember just how very blessed I am.

IMG_6817-1, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

I was lucky to get some fantastic shots of the fireworks this weekend. I think this may be my favorite of the shots.

Today is Father’s Day.  I have heard all about this day coming for weeks now – internet, radio, and television ads going on and on.

If you’re me, this day and everything that surrounds this day sucks.  Father’s Day is no less painful as the years go by.  I found out he was sick on Father’s Day of 1996.  Grief never gets easier, just different.

I am reminded of the fact that my father is no longer here many times a year but more so on this day – not just because he became ill around this day 13 years ago, mind you.  I would love to be making a trip up or a phone call to wish my father a happy Father’s Day.  I cannot though and this, my readers, sucks.

So to those who have fathers still with you, make this day one that counts.  Do not let this day go by without letting your fathers know that they matter, that they are in fact loved. To those who are fathers, make sure you are active in their lives and they know what it is to have a really good father.  My father was a great one and I will because of that never forget him.

Rose, originally uploaded by Coder.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I offer up this fantastic shot a fellow Flickr photographer took and some quotes about that thing called love.

It is the first year in eleven years I have been single on Valentine’s Day and I am quite alright with that. I am staying in surrounded by animals who love me and resting.

Without further adieu, some quotes…

–

Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.

Zora Neale Hurston

Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.

James A. Baldwin

The only true gift is a portion of yourself.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

festivus logo, originally uploaded by Dot D.

In honor of Festivus [for the Rest of Us], I provide you with my list of grievances for 2008:

1. ADHD.
2. Airfares (at present).
3. Bad television.
4. Begging.
5. Being on hold.
6. Bullies.
7. Cabin fever.
8. Celebrity worship.
9. Cold weather.
10. Confusion.
11. Corporate bailouts.
12. Darkness before 5.
13. Disappointment.
14. Dishonesty.
15. Disrespect.
16. Drama.
17. Expectations.
18. Frustration.
19. Fundamentalists.
20. Inauthenticity.
21. Jasper biting.
22. Loud talkers.
23. Low wages. (more…)

IMG_1861-1, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

Christmas has increasingly been about consumerism and arguments of religion versus secularism. No more does Christmas seem to be about good will and gratitude. We spend more time shopping for the holidays than we do with our loved ones on the holidays. Obligations exhaust us, credit cards bankrupt us, and tension grows thick.

I enjoy this time of year, in spite of the greed and pressures that come with it. I am a definitely not anti-gift. I have a wish list overflowing with items I cannot afford but wish I could. I buy gifts for those I can afford to buy – books, collectibles, and small trinkets – to express my appreciation for the people in my life. I send out Christmas cards too. It is my hope that at this time of year (and throughout the year too) my loved ones know just what they mean to me.

I am simply standing at the outer edges of holiday madness and wishing that Christmas (or the holidays, if you prefer it stated) were a bit simpler and more inspiring than it is these days. I wish Christmas was not quite as lonely and awful for so many people too. No one should be alone or feel alone at this time of year, no one. (If anyone in the St. Louis area will be alone and do not wish to be, please do message me. I have an alternative for the “holiday orphans.”)

Bonus link:  My favorite holiday song, a Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds song.

One of my first ornaments, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

This ornament was one of two ornaments from my childhood that remains with me. I cannot remember a time when this ornament was not on the Christmas tree or at least a part of the Christmas decorations. It will be a part of my Christmases for years to come too.

It may be cliché to write a post of gratitude on Thanksgiving, but it is also important I think to always be thankful for the blessings in our lives.  Life may not always be easy, but there are always blessings to be found.

I am thankful for my family.  Though I cannot be home for Thanksgiving, I have positive memories of tender turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, delicious stuffing, laughter, and card games at the dining room table.

I am thankful for my friends. For Amy, who tells it like it is even when it is hard to hear and remains in my life even when it is hard to do.  For Drew, who is my “Denny Crane” and my “self-described “defense team” and accepts me as I am.  For Justin, who is still in my life in spite of my confusion and craziness and is a fantastic friend.  For all the rest too, who are my friends in spite of my confusing and crazy ways.

For Jasper, the best friend I could ask for and snuggles whenever I need them.

I have a roof over my head, a paycheck to carry me through, and a warm coat for cold days, and for all of these things I am grateful.

I am thankful too for being welcomed into Justin & Mette’s home for the Annual Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner and for being surrounded by friends on this beautiful day.

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The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth…
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars….the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…
are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be at “dash midrange.”)

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile…
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?