Thanksgiving 2007

As a blogger I’m obligated to do some kind of Thanksgiving post. It’s part of the blogger’s code – article 6, section 14, paragraphs 3 – 8. To quote: “…the aforementioned U.S. based web-log author (blogger), hereby agrees that, by end of day on the 4th Thursday in November, (s)he will make a holiday-themed post celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. Those bloggers not living within the boundaries of the U.S. are under no such obligation, and are allowed to poke fun at the sappy nature of the posts of those who are…” So in order to meet my professional obligations, I hereby present my Thanksgiving 2007 Sharepost.

When you all sit down for a Thanksgiving meal, do you have the dreaded “what are we thankful for” discussions? Ever since I was a kid, someone has suggested we go around the table and have everyone say what they are thankful for. In your head you’re thankful there’s a LOT of wine for dinner, you’re thankful that the Packers are winning, and you’re thankful you can go home after dinner and don’t have to worry about cleaning up after that crowd. But you can’t say this - it’s hard to be a smart-aleck after Grandpa breaks down in tears while trying to express his thanks for the wonderful family he’s spawned. So you suck it up, and say you’re thankful for the fine food, and the wonderful family, and your friends… and before you know it you’re choked up also. So in the spirit of that great holiday tradition, I proceed:

I’m thankful for all my friends around the world, most of whom I’ve never met, for their unconditional love and support. I find it amazing that such friendships can develop and flourish, but they do, and are a source of considerable comfort and satisfaction to me.

I’m thankful that the Packers are playing an early game, before dinner.

I’m thankful for my family, the people that make my life worth living.

I’m thankful for my wife, without whom I’d never have gotten this far in life. Supportive, non-judgmental, committed to us unconditionally. The glue that keeps the family close.

I’m thankful that my bipolar disorder hasn’t progressed to the point that I can’t work. I’m thankful that I’m able to financially support my family at this time.

I’m thankful that my mother finally showed my wife how to make good mashed potatoes, even though gravy is completely beyond her grasp.

I’m thankful we have a grocery store close where we can buy turkey gravy by the pound.

I’m thankful for technology, that wonderful thing that makes this online world possible. Without it, we wouldn’t have shareposts, we wouldn’t have BipolarConnect, we wouldn’t have this community, and we would be significantly less informed. Just think about having this disorder 20 years ago, if you wanted information you either went to the library for a book that was 15 years old, or you talked to your doctor, who told you only as much as they wanted to tell you. We are, due to this technology, so much more knowledgeable and able to care for ourselves.