I originally wrote this a year ago, but the sentiments remain the same. If you’re not out shopping, enjoy.

Random Thanksgiving Thoughts. They aren’t as lighthearted as my previous entries, and that’s okay. Plus, you’re most likely not doing much today, hopefully, so you might as well read my musings. Or don’t.

I’m thankful for friends.

Some time ago, I posted a funny meme (so I thought) that said that people should tell their friends things rather than post stuff on Facebook, and a friend commented that maybe some people don’t have a network. While I try to be socially aware of such things, that was the first time that I considered that some people don’t have cherished friendships. Admittedly some folks are attention seekers (think posts that include “Worst Day Ever!” with no explanation), but there are some who are truly crying for help. It was a true clutching of the pearls moment for me. I have a number of friends with whom I share life’s highs and lows, or who I can ask “Does this top look okay with these jeans?” and it was humbling for me to realize that others may not have that. Gosh.

I’m thankful for acceptance.

I know that for some, having to accept Kamala Harris as Vice President has been difficult. For some it’s her politics, for some it’s her gender, and for some it’s because of her race. I have been in a room sitting at a table with gentlemen who seemingly wanted to help persons of color, but barely acknowledged me as a partner. They literally did not look at me; they talked to a colleague who looked like them as if they were the translator like I spoke a different language. I learned that no matter what my title at work might be, people can’t or won’t accept me because I’m not wrapped in the traditional package. Sometimes it’s just that simple and it’s unfortunate. A wise friend shared this in response to a previous random thoughts post: “…when someone says ‘we want you at the table,’ they generally mean ‘we’re inviting you, but we own the table.’” If you’re a certain age and you’ve only seen white men in leadership, it’s probably a shock to the system. Please no comments about politics because I’ll delete it. This goes beyond that and the sooner we acknowledge this, we can talk.

I’m thankful for new experiences old and new.

When I was 14 I attended NCCJ Anytown, a week long camp. It was one of the best experiences of my life. In one exercise I was grouped with other members of my race and we were asked to separate ourselves by skin color. For example, those of a lighter hue were together, and so on and so forth. For some, it was difficult to process. For me, it brought home that while I was comfortable in my paper sack brown skin, had I been born 160 years ago, I would have been most likely picked to work in the cotton fields while someone a bit lighter would have worked in the “big house.” There’s a huge chunk to unpack here, but I might explore this in another post.

I’m thankful for family and friends who make sure I have food to eat on holidays.

My mom was a great cook. I can cook, but it’s not something I love to do. One Thanksgiving, Greg bought three big paper sacks full of greens that I had to clean as that was my contribution to the meal. I was almost in tears because I didn’t think I would clean them in time. Thankfully they turned out great (at least that’s what I was told) and I survived that ordeal. Before my friend Jayla married and moved away, she would come over on Thanksgiving Eve and guide me as I attempted to make dressing. I will always cherish the times spent in the kitchen with my mom, family and friends because it has always been about so much more than preparing a meal.

I’m thankful that my husband continues to be safe in his public-facing job.

I always breathe a sigh of relief at the sound of the garage door opening which means that he has arrived home safely. While I could spend a lot more time on this point I’ll just say it is truly a blessing.

May you pause to think on things for which you are thankful, friends. Random or otherwise. Feel free to share them with me here.

#ksmithsays