Giving Thanks

In a world on fire

In the US today is a day in which it is customary to give thanks.

Regardless of the origin and it's questionable roots it is a practice I have tried to embrace as a reminder to exercise and express gratitude for the blessings in my life.

It is an increasingly difficult exercise to do; the world burns, a plague continues to sweep the globe, unabated in some places, saying that genocide is wrong has become a controversial stance to some people while living beings starve and suffer for the ambitious few and in so very many places people like my family, like me, are stripped of their rights and recognition of their humanity by governments pandering to conspiracy theorists and fanatics; all the while people feed each other into the capitalist death machine with the wishful thinking that someday they might the ones to press the buttons.

As smoke, both literal and figurative, fills the air and smothers the light it is easy to lose sight of things to be thankful for in our lives.

I am fortunate, I can see my blessings and they are near me.

I see my blessings in the faces of my children, those of my blood and of my heart equally. I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of their lives, to watch them grow, to offer guidance, support and what shelter I can from the burning world they will inherit while I strive to make at least some part good ground for their future.

I see my blessings in my partners, my family. Their strength and resilience to match my own, the deep and abiding love we share that stands before any test, weathers all storms behind and before us.

I see my blessings in the partners of my partners, the joy and fulfillment as it enriches their lives.

I see my blessings every day and in them I see the hands of my gods, of my honoured ancestors and perhaps that is the greatest of blessings for which I am grateful.

I am not alone.