Thanksgiving Day Thoughts

Here it is, Thanksgiving Day, 2009. On Facebook, all my friends are posting their Happy Thanksgiving wishes and commenting on the things they are thankful for. I tend to be a bit cynical by nature, and, for the last couple of weeks, have been quite ill physically. That is why I haven't been posting as often as usual. So, it's little wonder that my first reaction was that I don't have anything to be thankful for today, as I am still very much in pain from my current ailment. Then it occurred to me just how selfish my attitude today is.

You see, the other day, I saw a neighbor of mine I hadn't seen in a couple of months. He only stopped by his apartment to pick up a couple of things. I'll call him "Papa Jim". I've been a neighbor of his for over thirty years. We have both watched our children grow up and leave, but other than that, we had little in common. Papa Jim is currently in a "rehab" hospital. You see, after years of heavy drinking, his liver finally became diseased and he had most of it removed. The man I saw the other day was a ghost of the man I knew. Thin, pale, crackling frail voice. The hollow look in his eyes was that of a man readying to meet his maker. It was then that I remembered Papa Jim's Thanksgiving Tradition. One that will not be occurring this year.

Every Thanksgiving, at about 1 in the afternoon, I would hear the sounds of Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" through the ceiling of my apartment. In a few moments, the unmistakable scent of a joint would drift down the stairwell, and I knew Papa Jim was enjoying his Thanksgiving Day.It was the only day of the year he would smoke in his apartment. It was tradition.

Papa Jim is not here today. Nor may he ever be again, as the "rehab" facility he is in is for terminally ill patients, the ones who never go home. I am waiting to hear Arlo's voice coming from Papa Jim's. I am waiting to smell the weed in the hallway. But it isn't going to be. The tradition has ended.

Today I am in pain. But I am getting into my car, going to my ex-wife's house house for Dinner with her, my two sons, and whoever else drops in while I'm there. Afterwards, I have an invitation for dessert at a Facebook friend's house. As I recently changed jobs, I haven't been into my normal breakfast spot for a few weeks. When I walked in today, a bunch of smiling faces said how glad they were to see me. People commented that they missed me. It is only now that that I am beginning to realize the things I am thankful for. So here is my Thanksgiving list, 2009.

I am thankful that I have the ability to smile, no matter how bad things may seem.

I am thankful that I have two jobs that give me the opportunity to help those less fortunate than myself. Seeing their lives keeps me humble.

I am thankful that my ex and I still care about each other, and still get along.

I am thankful that I found Facebook, for it has reunited me with the people from the best part of my life.

I am thankful I found one very special person, who is a constant inspiration to me, and who motivates me to try to be a better human being.

But mostly, I am thankful that, despite my current discomfort, I know I will get better in a while, with the proper treatment.

Papa Jim has no such thing to be thankful for. So today, in his honor, I will play "Alice's Restaurant", spark one up, and dwell on the good things in my life.

Life is just too short, and too precious, to dwell on the negative.

Thank you for reading, and Happy Thanksgiving.