Thanksgiving was good this year. I woke up with a breath of peace. A massive sense of gratitude and that lovely feeling of… just knowing… believing… that everything is going to be alright. It must be said that under these emotions was the ever present nagging of missing a piece of myself… as if I am just not whole. And that piece can (and will) only be filled with my boys being physically with me and my “tribe” by my side but that underlying emptiness is a constant in life these days… until these gates are no longer my reality. So until that glorious day… overall… the vibes were positive… the weather was immaculate and the day was a success.
I spent the day reflecting on how lucky I felt to be genuinely feeling this positivity given the physical circumstances and when I knelt down to write this weekend… I just couldn’t think of anything better than to express this gratitude…
I am beyond grateful for so much and so many.
I am thankful for my boys.
I am thankful for the unique connection that we continue to grow and nourish day in and day out throughout this journey.
I am thankful for my absolutely incredible family and friends (my “tribe”) who emotionally sustain me… who lift me up… who challenge me… who love me… who support me… who laugh with me… who cry with me… who show up for me… I am so grateful for you.
I am thankful for my nieces and the wonderful girls that they are and continue to grow and evolve into. It is such a gift to be your Uncle.
I am thankful that she answers the phone.
I am thankful that my boys have a loving home… a safe home and a home that allows them to be the joyous magical humans that they are.
I am thankful for the sunrises and the sunsets.
I am thankful for the ocean outside those gates.
I am thankful for the challenge and mental flexing that my “job” requires… even if I burn myself way too much.
I am thankful for my health… the health of my boys and the health of my family and friends.
I am thankful for the visits.
I am thankful for the pictures.
I am thankful for the emails.
I am thankful for the phone conversations that allow me to live vicariously through your lives’.
I am thankful for the “weight pile” aka gym in here that is such an unbelievable outlet for me… physically and mentally.
I am thankful for this blog and the people who run it and read it.
I am thankful for the advocates… that work tirelessly out there to help us in here.
I am thankful for the hope that fills my soul and propels me through these days… especially the dark ones.
I am thankful for my “homeboys” and the comradery that they provide.
I am thankful for the First Step Act.
I am thankful that I am feeling more like myself as each day passes and less like the made up version.
I am thankful for my life.
I am thankful that I am able to wake up each day and attempt to be better.
I am… just so unbelievably grateful.
I hope you all had a wonderfully delicious Thanksgiving with your “tribe” out there and were able to recognize and appreciate how lucky we all are to be alive.
Stay Healthy. Stay Active.
Thank You All… Sincerely.