THANKSGIVING TIME

I'm well aware that it's still a few days before Thanksgiving, but I'm on holiday spirit already and I want to start counting my blessings early this year...

Let me start by saying that this last year has been the most surrealist year ever in my life... so much has happened... so much water under the bridge... that I feel that somehow I aged at least 10 years in just one year... but, by the same token... it has been the most unforgettable and wonderful year of my life... and for that I thank thee.

I am thankful this year for the smile on my son's face... and for his eyes full of hope and wonder and amazement and curiosity and love and happiness... for his great health... for his great spirit... for his great conviction... for his laughter... for his joy... for the warmth in my heart every night when I get home and the first thing he does is throw his arms around me... and hug me... for that I thank thee.

I am thankful this year for all the pain that I have suffered... I had forgotten what it was like to feel strong emotions... I have been deeply hurt, I have rolled to floor raging with jealousy, I have hated passionately, I have bled and made people bleed... in short, I have felt much more alive this year than in the past 6 or 7 years... and loved every minute of it... and for that I thank thee.

I am thankful this year for all color... I had forgotten what it was like to feel strong emotions... my background wallpaper went from grayscale to 32-bit true color... I have taken risks, I have gotten myself involved in crazy/beautiful situations, I have been reminded of the wild, crazy and passionate guy I had forgotten I was... in short, I have lived much more this year than in the past 6 or 7 years... and loved every minute of it... and for that I thank thee.

I am thankful for being loved... you should feel lucky enough if just one person loves you deeply... but if, as it happened to me this year, you discover that there are more than one... that is nothing short of a miracle... and for that I thank thee.

I am thankful this year for great friendships... for people who care... who show me their support... and help me when I need help even when I'm too proud to ask for help in the first place... people who kick me in the nuts when I'm being a jerk... and who share my moments of glory and the agony of defeat... for that I thank thee.

I am thankful this year for not having economic straits... granted, I am rich and I think I never will be... but the truth is that this year I have had the money I have needed when I needed it... and for that I thank thee.

Finally, I thank thee for unanswered prayers...