I spent my Thanksgiving marveling at my blessings...

As I cleaned the turkey—(my second time doing so since my partner and I decided to add the big bird onto our culturally eclectic Thanksgiving menu)—a wave of gratitude washed over me. So many things had happened in the past year that I’m beyond thankful for. Thanksgiving for me has been devoid of its history. Instead, I focus on my blessings and share this with my family, my partner, and my close friends.

This year I was blessed to have all my family members visit from Jamaica to celebrate Thanksgiving with me. It was the best Thanksgiving treat that I’ve had since I learned how to roast a turkey (well with the help of my partner of course! If it was up to me alone, I would add some Jamaican curry powder or jerk-sauce to make it extra hot and spicy).

Anyway, I had a wonderful time with my family. My partner and I hosted them in our home and they were very gracious and accepting of her. This, to me, is a blessing given that we’ve come such a far way as a couple; and then to see my family once again embracing her as their own daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, and aunt is truly amazing. They met her earlier this year when I took her on a trip to Jamaica. However, on Thanksgiving they were in OUR home. Pictures of us sat in large frames that line the shelves and walls of our Brooklyn brownstone as my mother relaxed, smiling on the sofa next to my step-father who marveled at how happy we seemed in them. My very religious grandmother agreed.

Later that day the rest of my family came. We all sat in a circle and articulated what we were most grateful for. I told everyone that I was grateful for family, love, companionship, life,and of course the food!

Nicole © 2010

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