it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

Holidays are largely a family affair for me. My dad’s family celebrates Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and sometimes the 4th of July together. My mom’s family has nearly the same rate of celebration, though we’re not always able to join them. I’ve been thinking a lot about Thanksgiving this year, and am anticipating continuing my own tradition of calling friends and family (almost all far away now that I’m no longer in Madison) and telling them how thankful I am for their presence in my life. But I also think that this Thanksgiving is worth documenting here, mostly because I am spending it with friends, the family you choose for yourself. So, without further ado, I present to you not a list of things I am thankful for, but of family I’ve chosen for myself:

For Dylan who teaches me something new, or blows my mind, nearly every time I’m in her presence. Thank you.

For KT who forces me out of the slow lane (metaphorically and literally) and has taught me to embrace my neuroticisms, make peace with them, and keep on trucking. In her I’ve found a fellow food-wine snob, which is a rarity indeed. Thank you.

For Heather who, as I described her to Matt, is my best surprise of the semester. Knowing Heather has forced me to reconcile my tendency to pre-judge people with my wanting to know them better. Heather is adventurous in ways I can never dream of being and her endless encouragement is never tiresome. Thank you.

For LB who teaches me patience and laughter and understanding every single day. More than anyone I’ve ever known, Lauryn is content to let people be who they are, flaws and all, but love them anyway. Thank you.

Those four peeps have made my last four months not only bearable, but enjoyable and worthwhile. But without this next list, I don’t think I would have had the heart or courage to come out here in the first place. So I’m thankful:

For Kevin who doesn’t always agree with me, but has taught me to carefully consider the political ramifications of my beliefs. Kevin is still, and always shall be, the last person I want to hear about any shenanigans I pull, mostly out of respect for the thoughtful life that he leads. Thank you.

For Mel who has taught me perseverance and strength and family and courage for the last eleven years. Thank you.

For Kelly who got that first tearful phone call and still didn’t make fun of me for it. Kelly pulls no punches and has forced more truth out of me, and into my life, than nearly anyone I’ve ever met. Her presence makes my life more honest and more laughter filled. Thank you.

For Matt who got that second tearful phone call and still didn’t make fun of me for it. From him I have learned the importance of taking myself less seriously most of the time, but knowing when it’s time to step it up a notch, stand and deliver. Thank you.

For Nicole who inspired me to get out on the market again, even if only to rival her in the “most first dates in 2005” category. From Nicole, I’ve learned the value of sitting back and listening, sometimes, and when necessary, devolving into screensaver mode. Thank you.

I am surely the luckiest girl alive because I could go on and on, if only I didn’t have a thousand papers to write this week. Thanks y’all.