It’s not always a wave for me, a surge; a tide of sensation. Sometimes I don’t feel it at all … or feel left out, karmically rejected, less than. But that’s rare. Short-lived and situational. Most of the time I look around, take in my life with its many, myriad spots of light and color and electricity and possibility, and feel… gratitude. Deep, profound, right to the bone marrow gratitude.

Which is why this day, Thanksgiving, resonates for me, a day built on the promise to take a breath, take a pause, and reflect on the things for which we feel that essential emotion. A day to gather with family and friends for a feast. To set a picturesque table. My husband has a thing about quirky Thanksgiving shirts. See’s Chocolate Turkeys always make an appearance in our household, and wishes of “Happy Thanksgiving!” are sent around the circle, far and wide. It’s a grand night for eating.

Unlike Christmas, with its wondrous weeks of anticipation and merry making, Thanksgiving is but one day, one 24-hour period; it’s unhysterical and undemanding; even its frivolity is muted (its colors are orange and brown, for heaven’s sake!). It’s a holiday during which no one expects gifts, there’s no pondering a menu—most of us look forward to the classic meal—and any tendency toward singing is thwarted by the cacophony of football games. Simple, sweet, and meaningful.

So, I’ll follow suit. I’ll keep today’s “special Thanksgiving Substack” to a short list of things for which I am grateful, large and small, silly and serious, meaningful and minor, in no particular order:

• Waking up in that perfect stillness of dawn.
• Being old enough to appreciate my age.
• A perfect cup of chai tea.
• The ease and comfort of my home.
• Heartfelt connection with my son.
• Living in blue, blue California.
• Winning an election.
• An unexpected gift.
• My savvy, sensible, sensational siblings.
• The wonderful diversity of my city of angels.
• The charm of my husband feeding the birds and squirrels.
• Solid legal adjudication against MAGA madness.
• My dearest circle of longtime friends.
• Chef José Andrés and his kitchen of compassionates.
• The pleasure of being fully understood.
• Fearless people standing up against authoritarianism.
• The life-changing wisdom from knowledgable teachers.
• That sensation of sinking into a perfectly prepared bubble bath.
• My husband snoring quietly beside me every night.
• The Westside Threshold Choir and everyone in it.
• Every hopeful article about the tide turning toward ethics and honor in the current political scene.
• The colleagues and cohorts of my creative worlds.
• A good book review.
• When I take what turns out to be a quite brilliant photograph.
• That Jane Goodall existed.
• Enthusiastic attendance at protest rallies and marches.
• The smiles, love, and sparkling life of my newest family member.
• When my singing voice does everything I want it to.
• Rich people like MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates.
• An excellent bowl of popcorn.
• When my husband walks a the room and smiles.
• Animal videos that make me laugh or go “aw.”
• When poll numbers tilt in favor of sanity and progress.
• Strength, fitness, and excellent health … mine and my family’s.
• When everything clicks with my band and I’m transported to that out-of-body exhilaration I’ve been lucky to experience since I was fifteen.
• A fierce speed walk on a cool, sunny day with Lady Gaga pounding in my ears.
• Knowing that the majority of human beings value goodness and empathy.
• Watching a sunset shimmer over the ocean outside my window.
• The beautiful world around me.
• A new, true friend.
• Trees.
• Kindness.
• Good food.
• Rain.
• My asshole cat, Georgy Girl.
• My life… all of it. Every bit. Before, now, and whatever’s next.

And you. I’m grateful for you. For your reading this, reading whatever I muse on about; for being part of this circle, this conversation. I don’t take it lightly or for granted. Your interest and support, however you choose to share it, is incredibly meaningful to me. Thank you.

May you have peace, safety, and love. Good health and the lightness of joy. Time with the people who matter—family, friends; grateful strangers. The opportunity to let go, even for a bit, for as long as you can, of worry, concern; anxiety, and fear. May you have moments of clarity when the realization that all that’s good in your life, large and small, adds up to bona fide abundance, your version of abundance, and you know that’s something worth celebrating. I wish you that gratitude…on this day, and every day going forward.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!