Dinner is over, the pie has been eaten, our guest is on her way home, and I have a moment to think about Thanksgiving and the giving of thanks. Regardless of my holiday induced emotional lows I recognize that I am truly lucky and have much to be thankful for. In these times when families often are torn apart by misunderstanding, political differences or forgotten arguments, my family, even with expressed differences, is still strongly supportive of each other. Though we live spread across the country, we know for certain that any one of us would be wherever we were needed in a heartbeat, should one of us need that support up close and personal. We can count on each other, and I’m thankful for that.

And in this economy where the unemployment in Michigan runs close to 10% I know that I am lucky to have not one, but two part time jobs. And I am exceedingly lucky that one of them is in my field and that I get to do the work I feel I was meant to do. Though it’s hard to remember the “lucky” part when I’m scraping ice off my windshield early in the morning on my way to one of the two jobs, I am thankful to have found employment this year.

I also know how lucky I am in my husband who has stood behind me while I left a lucrative career to start over in graduate school, and during my long hiatus of a summer with no work whatsoever. He talks to my siblings regularly when they call for support and is 100% behind each of them. That’s rare in a spouse, and I’m thankful for his support of me and my family.

And of course I’m thankful for Katie. Who wouldn’t be grateful to be the adopted mom of such a lovable little devil dog. I think she’s chewing up one of my shoes right now in reciprocal thankfulness!

And lastly I am thankful for my friends, those I’ve met in person, and those of you that I’ve only conversed with in cyberspace. You have all been incredibly supportive of my career change, and my emotional baggage. Thanks..so much…for listening!