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Thankful

I can't imagine spending the holidays without my family or without having turkey, mashed potatoes, and roasted pears.  

But people like Diana can chuck the family thing and serve Chinese food for Thanksgiving. "Kung Pao chicken is a perfectly fine substitute for dry turkey," she said last year. "While you're fighting with your cousins over who has a better life, I'm spooning extra peanuts on my plate."

It's true: my cousins and I have issues, but a cozy New England dinner makes up for everything. The smells alone permeating the air is almost enough. 

I'm thankful to receive big hugs from women who smell like perfume and stuffing. 

I'm thankful for the chance to pry the wine bottle from my grandfather's hand when he stutters and starts the conspiracy theories.

I'm thankful that I will have Jan with me. 

I'm thankful that I don't have to eat Chinese food alone or even make Thanksgiving dinner. 

I'm thankful I can afford to go "home" for the Holidays. 

I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my readers, myself. I'm most thankful for life. So with that, I head off to NH, and I will see you all next week. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Be thankful, dammit.
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