Yesterday, I had the amazing experience of meeting my new friend, Tania Hershman (whose new short story collection, The White Road and Other Stories, was recently discussed here). I say this was amazing, not only because I had a fantastic time and a non-stop fun and interesting talk with her, but because she lives in Jerusalem, I live in London, and we first “met” via our blogs.  It got me thinking about what a strange new world this year has brought me into, and that, especially today on Thanksgiving, it would be good for me to take a moment and recognize all that I can be thankful for.

Of course, I must start with the health and happiness — all at the same time — of my family.  Without that, nothing else in my life really matters.  I then want to say how thankful I am that the friends I have who are facing especially difficult challenges right now, and unfortunately there are several of these, are meeting them with hope, grace and optimism.  Each one of them continues to teach me with their positive outlooks in the face of daunting struggles.
Now for me personally, I want to say how grateful I am for this worldwide community of friends I have discovered this year via this simple blog of mine.  This blog has grown out of a lifetime of writing on my own, often hiding away behind my notebook lest someone should see what I was doing.  Being published has thrust me out into a much larger world, and it is really through you, the friends I have made via our blogs, that I have learned that this world is indeed a generous and welcoming one.
When I was growing up in New York’s public school system in the 1970’s, I was taught that

Thanksgiving is all about “pilgrims”, “Indians”, “horns o’plenty”. Everything has a different name now.  But this favourite holiday of mine has changed in itself, as well.  Whether you want to gourge yourself on pumpkin pie and turkey today or not, it is always a good thing to take a moment every now and then, and be thankful.

So, thank you everyone.  And enjoy the day — it’s your holiday, too, no matter where you are.
Love,
Sue