Giving Thanks

It’s hard to be grateful, living in this timeline. Living in this timeline at the crossroads of my circumstances and identities, doubly so.

Still, I’m trying. I’m trying to be cognizant of the good things I have, of the good things in my orbit, in the world at large.

So, to those ends, I felt the need to acknowledge.

I am thankful for living where I do, in a state that has been consistently ahead of the curve in legislation that defend and honor my right to marry, my right to self-identify, my right to bodily autonomy.

I am thankful to work in a field in which my neurodivergence is not only accommodated and respected, but actually gives me an edge and advantage., I am grateful to be surrounded by colleagues who value my input, seek me out for advice and consultations, and who both constantly challenge me and respect my need to rest when I need to rest.

I am thankful for my wife, who has not only never discouraged me from a goal or ambition, but actively encourages all of my silly little wishes and whims.

I am thankful for my son, who consistently amazes me with the brilliant, clever, hilarious, creative, silly things he comes up with. I am thankful for his natural curiousity and his passion for his interests.

I am thankful for my siblings, who understand me in a way that no one else does, and with whom I can be wholly myself.

I am thankful to be in a position where preparing to move is an option afforded to me — that I can afford homeownership, at a time when lot of my peers are struggling. It is a huge privilege, and being in such a position for me has been as much about luck and outside support as it had been my own efforts, and I am compelled to point that out. I am monumentally lucky.

I am thankful for hobbies that I can afford to keep as hobbies — while it might be nice to get commissioned once in a while or to sell a print or two, I am glad that my passion projects can remain passion projects, and do not have to bear the burden of being my financial bread-and-butter.

I m thankful for the people I have met on my creative journey.

I am thankful, in that regard (if not others) for the road ahead. I am excited to see where the path takes me, excited to try new mediums, embark on new projects, and meet new people.

I am thankful for the life I am living, and the people with whom I am living it.

I hope there are things you can find in your own lives to celebrate, flickers of light in the darkness.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate.

Take care of yourself and each other.