Feelings of gratitude-ish...

The cornbread has just come out of the oven. The pies and cakes are done. That's all the prep work that needs to be completed before the big meal tomorrow.

As we get ready to spend Thanksgiving with those we care about, our thoughts turn not only to what time the turkey needs to be put in the oven, football, and food coma, but also counting our blessings and thinking about the things and people for which we're most thankful. (Of course, we should be thankful every day, but a holiday called Thanksgiving kinda accelerates the process, you know?)

This year, the joy of turkey, stuffing, and green bean casserole (the one thing I really do love most) is tempered by the hole in our hearts, as this will be the first Thanksgiving without my father. I've been told—and I've already experienced—that the "firsts" are always the most difficult, and there's no denying that, but a holiday that is marked by togetherness will be even harder.

The last six months have moved both exceedingly fast and far too slow, and while the realization that he won't just walk in the door has begun to sink in, I've still picked up the phone to call him countless times to share a thought or an anecdote with him.

Dealing with this loss, it would be easy to say there isn't anything I'm thankful for this year, because honestly, I'd give anything for even one more day. But truthfully, as I ponder the times I've felt grateful this year, especially the past six months, I realize that it's more important than ever to express my feelings.

To my friends and family from every phase of my life who have reached out countless times to see how my family and I are doing, I am more thankful than words can say.

Losing a member of your family makes you truly treasure those who are still with you, so I am grateful that despite the sadness, we will still celebrate Thanksgiving together, surrounded by special people.

I am, of course, grateful every day that I can spend my life with the one I love, and that the world is slowly but surely enabling everyone to have the rights to love whomever they choose, and do so with the same rights.

Most of all, I am grateful to my father. During the speech I gave at his funeral six months ago, I said that he was the greatest man I've ever known. I have endeavored every day (some more successfully than others) to live my life treating people the way he did, and I am beyond thankful to have had him as a role model and a friend.

No matter where you are, no matter whom you are with, I hope your Thanksgiving is a joyous one, and I hope you have things to be thankful for. Thank you for your generosity, your humor, your support, and everything that makes you the incredible person you are.

A classy close for a classy guy...

I've written about NFL linebacker Scott Fujita before, and how much I admire him for being one of just a few professional athletes who have been tremendously vocal advocates for marriage equality.

Fujita, age 33, played four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, including their victory in Super Bowl 44. He played his last three seasons with the Cleveland Browns, and also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys. Over his 143-game career, he recorded 767 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and seven interceptions.

Earlier today, Fujita signed a one-day contract with the Saints, and then announced his retirement, so he was able to retire as a member of the team he felt closest to. And he couldn't have signed the contract in a more beautiful place—at Machu Picchu in Peru. He traveled there with former Saints teammate Steve Gleason, who is currently fighting Lou Gehrig's Disease.

"What better place to reach the end of the road," Fujita said in a statement, "than here at 10,000 feet above sea level, in the Peruvian Andes overlooking Machu Picchu with my dear friend Steve Gleason?"

A tip of the hat and strong thanks to someone who has always championed equal rights. Here's hoping the next chapter of his career is as fulfilling—and sees him continuing to help fight the battles we still face.

A workplace prayer...

On days you find yourself stressed beyond belief by the prospect of another crazy work day, just utter these simple words:

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the minds I cannot change,

the courage to endure second-guessing, backstabbing, and unfounded criticism,

the strength to resist baked goods brought in by generous colleagues and the mid-afternoon siren song of the vending machine,

the intelligence to remember that when someone asks for your "honest opinion," honesty is not what they're interested in,

the discipline to avoid choosing Facebook instead of meeting deadlines,

the good fortune to avoid conversations which include the words "budget-cutting," "changing priorities," or "changing direction,"

and, above all, the wisdom to remember that no matter how bad it gets, I am lucky to have a job.

Feel better now?

It's not the only thing, but it's one hell of a thing...

As I've said so many times over the last four years, if you had told me that one day in my lifetime the President of the United States would mention the need for equality with regard to sexual orientation, I would have thought you were crazy. To hear these words during President Obama's second inaugural address today made me cry, made me proud, and made me hope.

While there's no guarantee of what the next months will bring, particularly with the Supreme Court, I feel more optimistic than I ever have. And for that I say, thank you, Mr. President.

Giving thanks...

As hard as it is to believe, it's Thanksgiving again. It's the first time in five years I haven't been stressing out over basting the turkey and worrying about how all of the side dishes would be finished around the same time! But I will admit, spending the holiday in the 75-degree weather of Florida is something fairly easy to get used to!

I try to be thankful every day for all of the special people and great things I have in my life, but more so on this day. I am thankful for those I love, and I am grateful to have been able to celebrate a number of special occasions with my family in this last year.

I am thankful that while many of my family and friends were inconvenienced by Hurricane Sandy (some significantly), no one was harmed. While I wish we could live in a world that was more united than divided, it was good to see how people come together to support each other in times of greatest need.

Above all, I am grateful to have the love and support of so many amazing friends. Thank you for laughing with me, providing support and encouragement when I've needed it, and for just being the incredible people you are.

On this day, I can't help but have the lyrics to The Beatles' In My Life running through my head:

All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

Thank you for being you!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...

Always remember...

It was a day on which everything changed. And for those outside of the intelligence community, there wasn't even a sign of trouble on September 11, 2001. It was an absolutely beautiful, late summer/early fall day.

I've written before about my memories of 9/11, where I was when I heard the news, how it affected me, how much I admire those whose bravery saved countless more lives, and those whose bravery led to their own losses.

Today means different things to different people. But what it means to me, on this day more than any other, is giving thanks to those who put their life on the line every day to protect others. Those who do not back down in the face of disaster, those willing to lend a hand, an ear, a heart to those in need.

And more than that, today serves as a powerful reminder of life's fragility. We never know when we'll run out of chances to tell our family, our friends, those we love, those we admire, those who make us laugh and think, how much they mean to us.

Always remember that. It's tragedy that often teaches us the hardest lessons, but it's also tragedy that strengthens our hearts and our memories and our minds.

Remembering Nora Ephron...

You might not necessarily have heard of Nora Ephron, but if you love movies, you're certainly more than familiar with her work. The three-time Oscar-nominated screenwriter (for Silkwood, When Harry Met Sally... and Sleepless in Seattle), director, writer, and producer died of leukemia yesterday at the age of 71, leaving behind an amazing legacy of sharply written dialogue, memorable characters, and films that continue to leave an indelible impression.

Ephron, who started out as an intern for JFK (she called herself "the only intern Kennedy didn't hit on"), was the writer behind movies like When Harry Met Sally..., Julie & Julia, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, Heartburn (based on her novel about her failed marriage to Washington Post reporter Carl Bernstein), and Silkwood, and directed eight movies, including Julie & Julia, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and Michael.

She once said, "I try to write parts for women that are as complicated and interesting as women actually are." And she truly was a shining example of the amazing contributions women for far too long were kept from bringing to Hollywood.

I can honestly say that When Harry Met Sally... is one of my favorite movies of all time (I thought it should have been nominated for Best Picture that year) and nearly 25(!) years after it was released, I can still quote lines from it. (And not just "I'll have what she's having.") And if you can watch the last scene of Sleepless in Seattle, you are made of stone.

RIP, Nora Ephron. Thanks for sharing your mind, your talent, your wit, and your heart with movie lovers everywhere. We are truly fortunate your words and your genius will live on.

Giving thanks...

Once again, the year has flown by at unbelievable speed. It seems impossible to think that yesterday was Thanksgiving and today—the equally beloved and dreaded "Black Friday"—marks just one more month until Christmas.

We celebrated Thanksgiving back in New Jersey with my family, and I cooked the meal. It always amazes me how the fruits of two days' worth of cooking can be devoured in less than 30 minutes, but it's clearly a good sign, no?

As I cooked and we ate, I realized that once again this year I have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful to have been able to celebrate the holiday surrounded by gamily. I am thankful to have the opportunity to continue watching my nephews grow and be amused by their antics.

I'm thankful for our dog, Quinn, and I'm thankful we discovered doggie day care so Quinn can channel some of her boundless energy! And of course, I'm thankful to spend every day with the love of my life, because every day is more special and more meaningful.

I'm also thankful for the opportunity to express my opinions through this blog, and I'm tremendously grateful that you visit from time to time to see what I have to say. This is so much better than the alternative of talking to myself!!

Hope your holidays were truly special.

Giving Thanks...

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, but since we were visiting my parents (who are without internet service—the horror!), I couldn't post until our return home today.

Two hours of grocery shopping (at two different stores) and 14 hours of cooking resulted in most of the food being polished off in 45 minutes. But as exhausted as I felt, I wouldn't have traded the time for anything.

I am so thankful to have been able to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family and the love of my life at my side. I am thankful that, at age 88, my grandmother could join us to celebrate for another year, and of course, it didn't hurt that she praised all of my food. And my nephews are growing up into sweet, funny little boys, despite the clear fact that my three-year-old nephew is possessed by the spirit of a 50-year-old!

During the week we were in New Jersey, the time wasn't always relaxing but it was enjoyable. However, I'm so thankful we were able to spend time with my aunt and uncle and cousins, as well as my friend Lisa and her family. !

Most of all, I'm thankful for every person in my life. Whether they're colleagues, compatriots, antagonists, family, friends or simply people I connect with online, every single one of you brings something special to my life, and I truly cherish each connection and each memory.

May each of you have health, happiness, success, love and laughter in the year to come!!

What I'm Thankful For -- Day 21

Thanksgiving is in four days. Egads.

Day 21
The last two days in NYC have been fantastic. Rock of Ages was enjoyable and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson was friggin' incredible. The hotel we've been staying in, a brand-new one called The Pearl, is terrific.

But even better than having a great place to lay our heads and terrific shows to see, today I'm thankful for the wonderful weather we've had as well as the fantastic food we've gotten to eat. We've had our requisite New York bagels (boy, the "New York-style" bagels back in Virginia sure do pale in comparison) and two wonderful dinners. And today we had some absolutely incredible New York pizza at a place called John's, which is located in what used to be the Gospel Tabernacle Church, built in 1887. Amazing food in an amazing location. How could you not be thankful?

What I'm Thankful For -- Day 20

Thanksgiving is in five days. But nowhere do the holidays seem closer than in New York City, especially in Times Square, where the crowds seem just that much bigger and more festive. You can just smell the holidays in the air. Or maybe that's just the charcoal from the vendor carts...

Day 20
As I mentioned in yesterday's post, W and I have taken NYC by storm, and we'll be seeing two musicals over the next two days—Rock of Ages tonight (complete with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister) and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson tomorrow night, a surprise for my upcoming birthday. This will bring the total number of shows we've seen here this year to three, as we had the amazing opportunity to see the incredible American Idiot over Labor Day.

Growing up in New Jersey, we had the tremendous fortune of getting to see a large number of Broadway musicals. Watching these amazing performances—from Annie and Grease to The King and I and Les Miserables—really cemented my lifelong love of theater and my desire to perform on stage. Plus, living in Washington all these years, I've seen some terrific shows as well—I got to see the late Raul Julia and Sheena Easton in Man of La Mancha and I even got to see Barry Williams (of Brady Bunch fame) in a great performance of City of Angels!

I feel tremendously thankful to have grown up exposed to so many incredible musicals, and I'm grateful to my parents, relatives, high school and friends who have helped nurture this love throughout the years.

I haven't quite given up my dream of performing either, so who knows?

What I'm Thankful For -- Day 19

The fact that Thanksgiving is in six days doesn't make me nearly as crazy as the thought I will no longer be able to go to Target or the mall after next Friday, unless I drug myself. But that's neither here nor there; let's get to the thankfulness!

Day 19
Tomorrow morning we head home to NJ for a week for the holidays. Actually, we're going to NYC tomorrow through Monday, to belatedly celebrate W's birthday with dinner and tickets to see Rock of Ages, and now apparently we're going to have an early celebration of my impending birthday with tickets to another show on Sunday evening. (I'm hoping for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson—I've always been fascinated by the presidents!)

Because we'll be in the city, we've had to leave Quinn behind, and she's staying at the doggie daycare facility for the week. And it is for that facility—A Dog's Day Out in Vienna, VA—for which I'm thankful today. Raising a puppy can be challenging, especially one like Quinn who requires infinitely more exercise than we can give her on a daily basis. She absolutely loves spending days there playing with the other dogs, and because it's a cage-free facility I know she won't be locked up for hours on end. (Truth be told, she's apparently been leading rebellions among her fellow dogs, teaching them to climb their cages so they don't have to stay in them during "time out.") In fact, mornings she doesn't go to daycare, she gets angry and storms around in her crate, banging her food and water dishes together to note her displeasure!

My previous dog, Zeke, hated being boarded, and never really enjoyed socializing with other dogs, so our vacations and holidays required having someone stay in the house with him, which always was difficult to find during the holidays. (Plus, I didn't enjoy having to shove everything in the spare bedroom closet so the dog sitter would have a place to sleep!) So I'm thankful Quinn enjoys "playing with the doggies" and doesn't punish us when we return home!

What I'm Thankful For -- Day 18

One week until Thanksgiving. Unbelievable. In fact, I completed planning my menu today, so I know the holiday is just around the corner!!

Day 18
Following my participation in last year's half-marathon in Las Vegas, I started noticing I was unable to run anymore. Then this pain and weakness started affecting my ability to do regular cardiovascular exercise, even leg workouts at the gym. At first I thought I was having hamstring issues, then I thought it was an issue with my knee, and finally, worried I might need my hip replaced. After x-rays and a hellish MRI, I was sent to physical therapy, where the tear in my hip as well as some other structural/muscular issues were diagnosed.

A few weeks ago, I had a cortisone shot in my hip, and to say the difference in my mobility is night and day would be an understatement. In the last two weeks, I've started actual hip exercises and even went on the treadmill for the first time today. It's going to be a hard road back to getting into the shape I was in prior to this injury, but thanks to my physical therapist and his team, I feel ready to do so. I'll be a beast again, I promise you! :)

Thankful x2...

Getting yourself back on track after a vacation seems almost impossible! I had really hoped to be completely current with my thankfulness posts by today, but since the last post, which spanned Wednesday-Monday, took a long time to write, I ran out of time to write yesterday's. So, please forgive me for one more combined thankful post, ok?

Day 16
One day when I was in high school I decided I wanted to cook dinner for my family. I had never cooked before, and I can't say what prompted me to do it then, other than the fact I was intrigued by a recipe. That planted the culinary bug in me, and although I spent my college years and the few after graduation mostly eating fast food and the cheapest meals I could find, in 1994 I spontaneously decided that I would cook Thanksgiving dinner for friends. Despite making a 22-pound turkey for five people (they should put a serving guide on those Butterballs), the meal was a tremendous success and that was when I knew cooking was something I truly loved.

From that point on, I was hooked. Meals became more and more elaborate; I started taking some cooking classes and then eventually wound up in culinary school. For a few years, I worked as a personal chef, something I'd probably still be doing if it weren't for the economy! I'm truly grateful for the desire and the ability to cook and bake—it's a tremendous stress reliever (although sometimes it causes more stress) and it makes me popular! LOL

Day 17
How can Thanksgiving possibly be only one week from tomorrow?

These two items for which I'm thankful may have a little less weight (so to speak) than others but they're just as deserving of my gratitude—chocolate and peanut butter. I love both separately but they're also tremendously wonderful together. (As an old Reese's Peanut Butter Cup commercial said, they're "two great tastes that taste great together.")

Chocolate is a wonderful thing, both a luxury and a stress reliever. Throw in a little peanut butter and it's even better. And right now, Reese's Christmas Trees are on sale, which are one of the greatest things about the holidays!

So Much Thankfulness...

Each day since the start of November, I've posted about something for which I'm thankful. Last Wednesday we went to the Dominican Republic for a work "retreat," and with sporadic internet coverage I wasn't able to do my daily posts.

So, without further ado, here's what I was thankful for from Wednesday, November 10-Monday, November 15:


Day 10
In this time of continued economic uncertainty, I am tremendously thankful to have a job that challenges and fulfills me. I am lucky to work with a fun-loving group of people; I am so fortunate that I can dress casually every day (there's something to be said for wearing shorts or whatever I choose each day) and, most importantly, I am thankful to work for a company that offers two additional, amazing perks—our weekly seated chair massages (well worth the hellish commute) and, of course, the incredible, all-expenses-paid trip to the Dominican Republic we just returned from! (I'm not so much thankful for the hellacious sunburn, but it is what it is...)

Day 11
For as long as I can remember, I have been a voracious reader. In elementary school, I looked forward to our weekly library visit more than almost any other class. During many athletic events in summer camp, I could usually be found with a book in my hands. I was reading far beyond my grade level at an early age, which meant I was reading "adult" novels in middle school. (I even was called into the vice-principal's office at one point for reading a somewhat "racy" book in eighth grade.)

I am almost never without a book. Before I got my Kindle, I would pack a ton of books on every trip, because I read so quickly and needed to be prepared in case my flight was delayed or canceled. And even though I'm definitely not supposed to, I even read when I'm stuck in heavy traffic. Reading relaxes me and I'm so thankful it's a pasttime I enjoy, as I've been exposed to some amazing authors and stories.

Day 12
As I've mentioned more than once on this blog, I've never been particularly athletic, and I've struggled with my weight more times than I care to count. About 2-1/2 years ago, we made the decision to start working out at a personal training studio, Fitness Together — Tysons Corner. I made pretty fantastic progress during that time, and exercise has become a regular—and enjoyable—part of my life. (Remember the marathon? That was thanks to Fitness Together.)

While I'm thankful to the trainers at Fitness Together for helping enhance my health and well-being through exercise, I'm more thankful because they actually saved my life. During a routine fitness assessment shortly after joining the gym, they discovered my blood pressure was obscenely high. My doctor began treating this with medication, and fortunately, we've been able to keep it within normal rates. So, I'm most thankful to Fitness Together for the fact I'm still here today!

Day 13
There were some amazing things about our recent trip to the Dominican Republic—the resort where we stayed, the weather, the friendliness of the staff. But what I enjoyed the most, and am most thankful for, was the opportunity to relax.

Those of you that know me well know that I'm, well, fairly high-strung. My last job was tremendously stressful and I worked about 60 hours each week, plus I went directly from one job to the next with only one extra day off. Whenever I've had a few days off, I've always been torn between the desire to do nothing, to do something fun or to take care of all of the errands I generally don't have time to do. So being in the Dominican Republic this past week was amazing, because the most stressful decisions I had to make were whether to relax by the pool or the beach, what book to read next and where we should eat. I am tremendously thankful for the opportunity to relax and thankful for my job that made this trip possible!

Day 14
I'm going to talk just a little bit more about my trip to the Dominican Republic. On the last full day of my vacation, after being tremendously careful the entire time, I got a wicked sunburn all over my shoulders and upper back. You see, you can stand in the pool for more than two hours without reapplying sunblock, and keeping your shoulders under water just taunts the sun!

Fortunately, I didn't get anything worse than first-degree sunburn, but it HURT. I am very grateful the resort gift shop had aloe vera; otherwise I wouldn't have been able to function these last few days. Must do better next time!!

Day 15
As I've been writing these posts about what I'm thankful for, I realize one thing for which I'm thankful (no matter how self-serving it may be) is this blog. I am grateful to have a place to record my thoughts, questions, conniptions, reviews and memories, and thankful that people have taken the time to read what I write. (Although truthfully, I'll keep writing even if no one reads my posts. I talk to myself all the time; this is no different.) Thanks for the creative outlet!

What I'm Thankful For -- Day 9

Just a little more than two weeks until Thanksgiving. You know that means holiday music and Santa in the malls are both just around the corner!

This is my daily thankfulness post, when I take the opportunity to write about one thing for which I'm thankful. I'll have a nice set of these once Thanksgiving rolls around—heck, I could turn this into a whole blog if I wanted to!


Day 9
Social media has changed my life. I never had a MySpace or a Friendster page; while I did rely on email to keep in touch with friends, apart from an occasional venture onto one of the high school alumni web sites, there really wasn't any way to find people I knew growing up. Strangely enough, I resisted joining Facebook for a long time after many of my friends did; somehow I knew with my slightly obsessive personality, I'd get hooked immediately and want to add all sorts of "extras" to my Facebook page.

A little more than two years later, I am a huge fan of Facebook and my prediction was correct—as my Facebook friends will attest, I spend a lot of time on there updating my status, communicating with friends, sharing links and media, and enjoying the feedback and reactions I get.

Facebook, Twitter and this blog have offered me opportunities to expand and express my opinions, thoughts and creativity, and for that I'm thankful. But beyond that, I am able to be in touch with friends from elementary school, summer camp, high school, college, my involvement with pageants, etc.—people whom, in many cases, I might never have seen or spoken with again—and it really has expanded my life. So today I give thanks to the world of social media for making my world even fuller—and even more hectic!

What I'm Thankful For -- Day 8

Turkey Day in T-Minus 17 days! Despite the fact that I'm going to have to cook like crazy, I'm looking forward to my yearly turkey, stuffing and green bean casserole, that's for sure!

If you read my blog, you probably already know that I've been posting each day about one thing for which I'm thankful. I'm thankful for a lot, but I've tried to focus on things which truly mean a lot to me.


Day 8
I've never been an athletic person. I have really lousy hand-eye coordination, which makes a lot of sports more difficult and frustrating, and when you combine that with a tremendous lack of confidence, you'll understand why I struck out more times than I could count, why I was usually put in right field (where I prayed the ball would never be hit) and why I was picked last in gym class constantly. (This, of course, began what I'll call the "I left my gym clothes at home" defense.)

A few times in my life I've made up my mind to start exercising. I know it's an important component of life, especially for someone like me who loves food, has a history of weight issues and suffers from high blood pressure. Strangely enough, after avoiding much physical activity for most of my life, I have discovered that I actually like exercise and working out. And as I posted last year, if you had told me when I was growing up and sneaking out of gym class that right before I turned 40 I would have run a half-marathon, I would have thought you were crazy.

I've been dealing with a hip injury for the last few months so it's seriously curtailed my ability to exercise my lower body, but thanks to a cortisone shot and physical therapy, I'm on my way to recovery. Hopefully within the next month or two I can start exercising again, because I'm actually much happier when I'm in shape. Who would have figured?

What I'm Thankful For -- Day 7

Eighteen days until Thanksgiving! Turning the clocks back last night made it seem even more like fall, and with the colder weather, the holiday season really does seem much closer.

Each day since the start of the month I've been posting about one thing for which I'm thankful. This isn't a bad thing to do every day, even after Thanksgiving!


Day 7
They say music soothes the savage beast. I certainly don't think of myself in those terms, but I know I'd be lost without music. At times, music does calm me; sometimes it energizes and excites me, especially when I need a lift. I work out to music, drive with it, work and read while listening to it. What an amazing gift it is!

Music has provided an amazing soundtrack to so many events in my life. There are so many instances where hearing a certain song takes me back to a specific place and time, or certain people. Songs make me smile and sometimes they can make me cry, if they evoke a memory or provoke an emotional response.

To quote one of my favorite television shows growing up, Fame, songs are around whenever you need them.

With the advent of the iPod, I've been able to aggregate nearly 15,000 songs at my fingertips. Songs I grew up with, songs sung by artists I saw in concert, songs I decided to experiment with (musically) and again, songs that evoke memories. I am so thankful that music has been so important in my life, and I am thankful to have been able to share so much of that music with friends and loved ones.

What I'm Thankful For -- Day 6

Thanksgiving is unbelievably in 19 days. Where is November going?

Each day on my blog I've been posting one thing for which I'm thankful. The hardest part of this exercise? Deciding which thing to highlight each day, as I don't want someone to assume that because something isn't mentioned until Day 12, for example, it's less precious to me than something mentioned on Day 2!


Day 6
As many people know, nearly one year ago we had to put our beloved dog Zeke to sleep after a brief illness. Zeke was a part of my life for nearly 16 years and I was absolutely devastated by his loss. Still, barely a day goes by when I don't think about him or remember something memorable he did.

In the few months following Zeke's death, I couldn't imagine ever wanting to get another dog. But the emptiness in the house—and our lives—became a little too much to bear. And then Quinn came into our lives.

Honestly, even when we thought of getting another dog, a puppy never crossed our minds. But the minute I picked her up at an adoption fair, and she settled into my arms, I knew she was ours. And while raising a high-energy puppy hasn't been without its difficulties, Quinn has brought us tremendous joy and I know she's going to bring so much more fun and excitement into our lives.



So, while I still miss my Zeke tremendously, I'm so grateful to have this little girl in my life!!

What I'm Thankful For -- Day 5

Twenty days 'til Thanksgiving!

Each day this month, I'm posting one thing (or set of things) I'm thankful for. This has been a fun exercise so far, because I'm starting to realize just how many things in my life for which I'm grateful.

Bette Midler once said "you've got to have friends..." Boy, I couldn't agree more. Throughout my life, I've been tremendously fortunate to have met some amazingly giving, funny, creative, sensitive, quirky, adventurous, challenging and loving individuals whom I've been privileged to call my friends.

Some friends I've known since I was very young (my friend Lisa and I have known each other for 37 years) and some friends I've not known long, but it's not always the longevity that has made these relationships special. Knowing there are people I can count on when I need them, being able to turn to them for laughter, comfort, support, guidance, advice, a reality check, etc., is one of the things that makes life more enjoyable and, at times, easier to take. And it's tremendously gratifying to know I can provide those same things to my friends as well.

Some friends I talk with and see on a regular basis, while others I don't see or speak with as often, but when we connect it's as if no time has passed. Clearly, Facebook and Twitter have strengthened and restarted those relationships, but that's a whole different day's post!

So on Thanksgiving, and every day, be thankful for each and every friend you have. I know I am.