Thanksgiving!

Logan, "Mr. Happy", above told me he was thankful for Thanksgiving. When you are 3 (though think you are 5) you can make simple though profound statements like that.

Logan, I am thankful for Thanksgiving too.

As everyone prepares for meals, travel, house guests, an ocean crossing, a new baby coming home or some solitary time of peace and gratitude, it's wonderful to have a holiday to remind us of the importance of saying thank you very much!

Here's President Abraham Lincoln's original proclamation, written in the midst of our Civil War, and the list of the big and small things in life that many of us are thankful for.

(And yes, some of us are even thankful for "The Real Housewives"....)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A proclamation for National Day of Thanksgiving

October 3, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

I am thankful for:

November 23, 2010

Thanksgiving

My yoga mat

My family, and for their unconditional love and support through all my life phases

My husband, and for his humor and thoughtfulness in all things great and small

My friends and their love and sisterhood that has supported me through many challenges

Living in a beautiful state, where I look the blue sky and sunshine everyday and feel grateful

My dogs, for their gentle never-ending love- I strive to be the person that they think I am

My country – for living in a place where I can vote, earn my own living, have free speech, and educate myself

Being privileged enough to never go hungry, unless I choose to

That even though my feet hurt when I walk, run or workout too much, I still have the health and physical ability to be active.

My school

My family and friends

My house, the food and drinks we have, and our clothing.

Small families that keep in contact!

Cousins who change locations so that we can visit them!

Experiencing retirement so that when I retire again I know I'll like it!

Living near family

Working from home

The ocean at my front door every day

My rescued greyhound Lola and all the goofiness and love she's brought to our lives

Both of my parents are alive and happy

Meeting THE man who compliments me best and makes me rise up to my full potential

My friends both near and far and the laughs we share

Clean water out of my faucet 24/7

My body is strong and healthy

I can vote, even if my people didn't win

I can drive 2 hours to the desert, mountains or beach

Being smart and getting to hang out with, work with and live with smart people

My community

Living by water and watching birds searching for fish

Writing

My home

My father finding someone to love again

My nieces and godchildren

Sunshine!

Coffee in the morning

Travel

People who live with eyes wide open, and treat the planet and all of its inhabitants with love and respect.

People who choose to adopt a pet and save a life, instead of buying from a pet store and supporting a cruel, horrible industry.

Chinese delivery in a one traffic light town

The entire "Real Housewives" phenomenon.

My blender

Living in a beautiful area.

Having a great aunt who taught me how to be a great aunt.

Sports

The smell of my children

The fact that I have a career that still keeps me on a steep learning curve after 20 years

15 years of more better than worse with my husband

The feeling that even though I may be halfway through my life, I still have so much more to do, see and learn…

A loving husband, great kids, comfortable home, good health, loving parents and family. But what I'm really thankful for are my friends. They are the icing on my cake. Nothing is sweeter than time spent with good friends.

Lessons from Gaby

My friend Pam forwarded a blog to me today, written by a daughter of a friend of hers, an 18 year old woman with autism who is not able to talk verbally. Here is part of what Gaby shares about being grateful:

"There is a quote by Thornton Wilder that states, “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” This really struck a chord with me as Thanksgiving Day approaches later this week. It makes me reflect on the rest of the year, the 364 days we take everything for granted. The thing I like about what Wilder is saying is that if we are not aware of our gratitude, it makes life not worthwhile because we end up going through life not fully enjoying what we have. Superficial appreciation I view daily is not what he is talking about. He means to really look to your heart and be grateful on a deep level...."

Thank you Gaby.

'Tis the Season

We're now entering into a season where there's is an unmistakable late fall chill in the air, some trees are now bare, and the ground is covered with a carpet of wet leaves.


I'm wearing a coat, socks, boots and gloves, but not a hat and scarf yet.

And Penny and Uma at work are wearing fleece hoodies.

Thanksgiving, my second favorite holiday, is next week. Growing up in Michigan we often had a blanket of heavy snow and slippery roads for family Thanksgiving gatherings, and I've celebrated Thanksgivings in California and Florida with sunshine, balmy temperatures and pre dinner cocktails outside. My sister and family often celebrate in the Bahamas, passing turkey and appetizers between boats tied up together, and I'm traveling to Philadelphia next week to celebrate with old and new friends.

In different locations, in different climates, and with different faces, the spirit of the season we're entering in remains the same: A certain shift, softening and melting of the rational world occurs. Amidst the warmth of family and friends, a subtle change in focus happens. You're able to see with your heart, not just your head. Childlike wonder and belief happen in the most 'adult' and rational, and you're able to actually see and be awed by the magic and miracles that happen every day life.

Our 16th President Abraham Lincoln, and creator of this national holiday, said, "To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all, but to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing."

And in all things, give thanks.

"It's getting better all the time"

Over the weekend my father asked me if New York has changed a lot in the six years I lived in California. Despite some superficial changes - (including why everyone mentions "The Shake Shack" as a location reference, something I still don't understand) - I told my father that the quality of life has improved.

Mayor Bloomberg's focus on green spaces, bike lanes and developing the waterfront is a notable change, as well as New York catching up to west coast trends of organic and natural foods. Last week New York magazine even had a 'what's hot' profile story on something I thought I'd never see in the land of big steak and cigar dinners: Vegetarian restaurants - "Vegetables are the new meat."

What has remained constant in the live-ability factor of New York is that big village feel -- the ability to just walk everywhere you want to, and being truly among the people in day to day life.

So even when our lovely fall eventually gives way to winter, the gift of really being 'in it', is something not to take for granted.

Thanksgiving

It's Marathon Sunday in New York and the sky is bright blue, and cloudless. Temperatures are mild and about half the trees are still dressed in their spring wardrobe on Grace Court. Though I was just sending Thanksgiving recipes to a friend, it's hard to imagine that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

I've been enjoying getting emails from people sharing what they're thankful for my Thanksgiving Project. Typically it will be during a hectic day where things will seem to be going more wrong than right, and I'll get an email out of the blue, and in the 30 seconds I stop to read it, it will immediately make me pause, and be thankful as well.

It was in the midst of our Civil War - not just extreme differences of opinion, but an actual war where states were fighting against each other - when President Abraham Lincoln issued a Presidential proclamation for a national day of thanks, to pause in the midst of strife to be thankful for all that we do have.

It's an interesting perspective to be thankful and happy hearted in the midst of adversity. Typically I think we're hardwired to want to be conditionally thankful, after the fact -- after we're in the promised land, and experiencing cushier, happier times, when everything is going our way. After we're received new things we've wanted or desired.

However, I'm not sure that's the way truly being thankful works.

Ode to Pam

Today at the office we said "Be seeing you" to my colleague Pam, who accepted a wonderful new position running marketing for an exciting entertainment venture in the city. While she's still quite close (lives and now works in Tribeca), it was hard to see her leave tonight, as over the last few months we also became good friends.

My other colleague and friend Nikki said during the champagne toast "Pam made this place a lot better", and neither Nikki or I had dry eyes. Certainly Pam's impressive background running marketing for Madison Square Garden and developing other world class brands made her the 'go to' person for our CEO, senior level clients and mentoring younger staff; Pam was someone you learned a lot from.

But the footprint Pam leaves behind is much more than marketing expertise. Pam brought enthusiasm, passion, zest for life and the most gracious way of making everyone feel important and valued to work every day. That's what will be missed most.

November 1 (!)

Nearly everyone is a fan of Autumn in New York. It's the golden hour before the seasonal shift, ushering in the holidays along with much cooler temperatures and darker days. Perhaps it's the effect of climate change but we've had a very lovely and mild fall in New York, causing ahem, certain people who tend to be warm weather minded to 'forget' that it's going to get a lot colder, and pretty soon hats, gloves, scarves and puffy coats will be required.

As the calendar officially turns to November today, some seasonal markers show us we're on our way, despite any wishful thinking going on!

College football, golden trees, cozy cafes and a carpet of fallen leaves...



And Halloween of course!



The meatpacking district in New York on Saturday night was full of adult festivities with plenty of sexy nurses, doctors, and devils, and the village Halloween parade yesterday brings out quite a colorful crowd as well.

I was happy to spend Sunday night in Brooklyn Heights, a much milder scene, though with some instructional lessons to think about as we usher in November:

Get out and enjoy!!

When you have 'hat head' wear a wig!

And like Curious George knows with his buddy The Man with the Yellow Hat, keep the ones you love close by!

Happy November everyone.