Thanksgiving

I’ve always been a big fan of Thanksgiving. I love a holiday that is 100% revolved around family and food—two of my favorite things. I never really liked the moment when we have to say what we are thankful for—it was never a yearly occurrence at our celebrations. Usually if there was a new guest who requested it, we would go around the table and express what we are thankful for. It always gave me such woe.

As the time can nearer for me to express my thanks, I began to sweat. Irma, Lupe, Mama, Petra, getting closer still and my mind void of anything save clichés like “family” and “love.” I wanted to sound smart. I wanted to sound good. I wanted to be a good person, and for some reason while we sat around the table, this was the moment that I had to show that goodness. I couldn’t just blurt out “Candy!” like most small children. No, it had to mean something.

Perhaps it was because I was the youngest of whole group by at least three years. Perhaps it was because I am just a nervous person, but I always felt that this was very important. And always, or rather when we actually did it, I would feebly mumble “Family” or “Love” or something annoyingly juvenile like “toys” or “puppies.” And then I would feel ashamed because I didn’t have a better thing to be thankful for.

So, half because I have a new found love for 1000 Awesome Things, I’m proposing a list of thirty-five things that I am thankful for. Some are deep, some are silly, some I would have been embarrassed to say in front of all the family and extended family on Thanksgiving’s at the Martinezes, but they are things I’m thankful exist.

35 Things I’m Thankful For

1. Family
2. And their unending support.
3. Friends
4. And their unending support.
5. Love
6. Candy
7. Holding hands.
8. Unexpected phone calls or e-mails or any form of communication after a long absence from a person.
9. A glass of wine at the end of a long day.
10. A shot tequila at the beginning of a long night.
11. Having a memory triggered by the scent of something innocuous—hand lotion, someone’s shampoo, a certain type of bread, dirt.
12. Being friends with (and loving) your in-laws.
13. Crisp weather that just tickles your nose.
14. That horrible feeling you get when you view your empty apartment/room/abode as you turn off the lights and leave for the very last time.
15. Fresh picked wild raspberries.
16. Being comfortable in your own skin.
17. Firmly held traditions with obscure origins.
18. Secluded park benches.
19. The pitter patter of rain on your tent and you being dry.
20. Crushes, even unfruitful ones.
21. Knowing someone so well you can tell when they are hiding something just by vague vocal cues.
22. Hearing someone say, “I miss you” after you have left.
23. Having someone tell you “don’t go” before you leave.
24. Anytime anyone says, “I love you.”
25. The warm feeling your muscles pulse with after your post-workout shower.
26. Firm mattresses with pillowtop.
27. How tea when you have a scratchy throat.
28. Hot tea whenever.
29. Forgiveness.
30. The moment that you realize you live somewhere. When you realize that the buses and trains and streets are all there right before you not in a confused mass but in a clear picture.
31. Grace.
32. Children.
33. Finding the perfect gift for someone.
34. Watching sparkly things sparkle.
35. Kissing.

And other things…



Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!