Today, I give thanks for the many, many blessings in my life.
In the last year, I lost and found a Tigger, gained a new, wonderful job, and was able to buy—for the first time in my life–my own home. I’ve seen my friendships grow even more than they have in the last few years, and seen my nephews and nieces grow into amazing young men and women (you should see my brother’s son, with his soul patch, getting more handsome by the day). ((Oy. He’s shaving. He’s growing beards. Oy. I swear, he was four years old just last week.))
I have two tremendous co-bloggers (although one has been rather busy lately). Thank you, Soccer Dad and Snoopy, for keeping this blog going when I’ve been too tired or too busy or too depressed to post much. And for supplying a different point of view. (Not so different, but then, I’m not interested in point/counterpoint on this blog.)
I’m thankful for my readers, too, and of course that includes those of you who read and never comment. I used to call you my “invisibles” when I was running a BBS. I always thought the word “lurker” has too much of a negative connotation. In this world, some people talk, and many people listen. Same for blogging, BBSing, and message boards.
And I’m thankful, as always, that I live in these United States—the world’s most hospitable nation to Jews this side of Israel, and the world’s greatest democracy. I’m thankful to the servicemen and women who risk their lives to keep us that way. Long may America prosper. And the same for Israel. Am Yisrael Chai.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Meryl. And I strongly concur with the sentiments in your last paragraph.
Comment by Gary Rosen — 11/27/2008 @ 10:32 pm
Happy Thanksgiving.
I would like to point out that there are many of us in countries like Canada and Australia (for example) who feel equally grateful for our countries’ “hospitality”. The US, after a bad start, has been good to the Jews, but we have also prospered in the great and tolerant democracies outside of the USA :)
Comment by Mark — 11/27/2008 @ 10:50 pm
Mark, I’ll extend my wishes for Canada and Australia’s prosperity as well. But they’re not the greatest democracy in the world. Top ten, but not the best.
Comment by Meryl Yourish — 11/27/2008 @ 11:16 pm
Well put and admirably expressed.
Man, I am so stuffed. I got turkey AND lamb, a couple of different kinds of salads, some really tasty mashed potatoes and dressing, mac and cheese, and TWO desserts. Stick a harpoon in me.
Comment by John M. — 11/27/2008 @ 11:25 pm
Ok, thanks for clarifying that :). Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Comment by Mark — 11/28/2008 @ 12:07 am
Well said. My sentiments exactly. Keep up the good work!
Comment by Lady-Light — 11/28/2008 @ 3:34 am
You’re welcome. And thank you so much for the opportunity. It’s been a privilege!
Comment by Soccerdad — 11/28/2008 @ 6:26 am
I’ve got the 2 cats that ignored the turkey. My son’s girlfriend said it was the first time she had a moist favorful turkey and a really good pumpkin pie.
Meryl-you do a good job.
Comment by Pamela — 11/28/2008 @ 8:03 am
MY: It is time to be sappy and complimentary.
The consistent quality of your work on the blog impresses me even if I don’t always agree with you. You don’t retire, don’t slink, and don’t whine.
As to being thankful, my grandparents had the courage to escape the Pale in 1906 and go where they did not know the language, where they did not have gelt or jobs or a home to live in. And I am proud to say they taught my parents well.
We should all do so much for the next generation. [It reminds me of the story of Honi the Circle Maker and the carob tree.]
Thanks.
Comment by velvel in decatur — 11/28/2008 @ 2:03 pm
This is one of my fav blogs. Thank YOU Meryl (and, of course, Snoopy, & Soccerdad).
Comment by plum — 11/28/2008 @ 4:20 pm
Mark said: “The US, after a bad start, has been good to the Jews, ..”
Far be it for me, an alien, to criticize America but apart from the fact that American Jews have had it better than many Jews elsewhere, isn’t it about time that America started acknowledging that its Jews in general have been very good for it?
Do I need to go into everything that this minuscule group has contributed to the well being of the country?
Comment by Cynic — 11/29/2008 @ 10:01 am
Cynic–
If any nation has ever come close to acknowledging the truth of Genesis 12:3, it would be America. But as you know, there have always bee anti-Semites, even in the most God-fearing nation the world has ever seen.
Comment by Bob — 11/29/2008 @ 5:25 pm