It’s Thanksgiving day, 2019. I had the opportunity to attend a gratitude meeting this morning. I was moved to say that I’m grateful 1) for another day sober, and 2) to be alive. I meant those two things with all my heart. This time last year, I was anything but sober and, at the same time, was wishing for my life to end. Today I can say that I want neither of those things in my life. I am proud to say that today I want to live!!! I have a Higher Power that guides me, and famiy and friends who support me. My life is nowhere near perfect or exciting. And that’s just how I like it today.

We’re having Thanksgiving at my sister’s this year. It’s going to be a lot of fun and a lot of chaos, too. Holidays aways are. It’s the dialectic (holding two opposite truths in one). I’ve learned that that’s okay today. I can have fun and be frustrated at the same time. It’s not easy to recognize that because, often, the negative emotion crowds out the positive ones. I can take the gratitude listed above and hold onto that when things get tough today.

Whatever the day brings, I know that my presence will be enough. Just the fact that I’m existing and breathing air into my lungs means that it’s a good day. Everyone’s presence is special. Where love and gratitude flourish, there’s no room for hate and intolerance. Love and tolerance is our code.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Sending love and light, Kel.