Sometimes, often times, I am overwhelmed with sadness as I think about the under represented souls in our world, in our own country, who are stricken with poverty, hunger, and loss of hope. I wonder what I can do. I give money. I volunteer. I work to address the pain I see in my own city, my own neighborhood. Sometimes major triumphs happen with minor effort. Those are fulfilling moments. Sometimes major efforts lead to little result. Those are challenging moments. But I keep following the leaders of charities and organizations I believe in to aid them in their calling. Little by little we make a difference.

I think about these things all the time, but especially when holidays like Thanksgiving roll around, I am overcome with even more sympathy for those less fortunate. Many of us offer extra of ourselves at this time in an attempt to soften the despair during the holiday itself, but for the most part we go along our way enjoying our holiday, feeling we did our part by pitching in one day with pies or money or serving at a soup kitchen.
For those who are suffering, the despair does not go away when we head off to our own warm homes and abundant tables. I am so aware of this hard truth. It makes me deeply grateful for the good fortune I have in my life. During this week I will take stock of my blessings.
I will not be with family this particular Thanksgiving. I will miss them, but I will be with Patrick, little Georgie, and dear friends. It’s going to be a delightful celebration. I am thankful for the love and wealth of happiness I experience every day of the year, not just on Thanksgiving. I know people throw around the word “blessed” a lot. But that’s really how I feel. My darkest days could be considered another person’s brightest. I’ll never understand why I am favored with the bounty of love and prosperity I enjoy, but I cherish it every morning I wake up and every night I lay down to sleep.
Funny, just typing it doesn’t seem to encompass what I mean? I’m not even sure what I wrote is what I intended to write when I sat down. It is difficult to capture in words the feelings that run so deep. But somehow, I think you understand. I’m thankful to have this platform to meagerly express those thoughts and feelings each week. You have been an embracing and supportive audience and have given me yet another reason to be grateful. Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
I’m not blowing smoke up the proverbial turkey’s butt when I say that I am thankful for you all year ’round. You and Patrick are such a joy…such an incredible gift in my life, and for that I can never say thanks enough. I love you!!!!!!!
Oh, Stuart. Back atcha, my friend. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto.
See you later tonight. xox
Aw, I miss you guys…what a sweet post. Hard to imagine that 8 years ago was my last Tgiving with you both. 🙁
I really enjoy your blog, Paige! And so enjoyed meeting you in Austin last year for Stuart’s show. You’re spending the holiday with two of my favorite “chumps” — have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I think about these things too Paige. Why was I so dramatically blessed. It’s so overwhelming to think that I have so much (which some would call not enough) when so many have so little. I have to be satisfied with praying every morning and asking God to help me make the most of this life I have and not to waste one single second…that would be the ultimate sin…to be granted so much and then to squander it.
I also want to say that I am truly thankful this year that I found your blog, that you posted Patrick’s essay and that my son is once again happy and thriving in his theatre studies in college. There truly are no coincidences. The Universe works the way it works and I’m grateful that it does.
So from my happy family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.
Sherry
I always enjoy reading your blog, Paige, and I love that you volunteer around the holidays! I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving with Patrick and friends! xo