Thanksgiving

For many people I know, travel helps put tomorrow’s holiday into perspective. And, I’m not talking about going to Disney World.

I’m thankful that my primary dietary concern tomorrow is not eating too much instead of where the meal will come from. I’m grateful my transportation question is whether to hold onto this car for another year instead of how I’ll get my mother to a clinic on a bicycle.

I’m glad that my housing issue is whether to patch or replace the roof and not accommodating another child in a one-room shack. And that I’m contemplating painting the bathroom as opposed to digging another hole. Or, that the cost of utilities is rising and not that I can’t find enough fuel to cook and heat.

I’m happy to live in a country where the police and military serve and protect and I don’t concern myself with them seizing my property. And that it’s a country that comes up with a new app every ten minutes instead of struggling with how to supply fresh water.

My greatest challenge for the ensuing holiday is figuring out what to get loved ones who already have all they need, not wondering how I will clothe them. Next to that is working out a schedule of how I can manage to cover all the parties thrown by my friends.

We have it better than the vast majority of humanity. It’s a great life and for that I am thankful.