[Ten day meme thing on hold for a day.]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones. :)

Remember what the day is about.. not just for stuffing yourself full with delicious food, but to reflect on what you are thankful for.

In this time of struggling, fear, and threats from enemies both within and without, remember the things that keep you going every day. Remember your hopes and dreams, and remember also the little things that you might not even think of most days. Sometimes these are the most important things we have, and today, spend a little time to realize them, and be thankful for them. :)

I know I'm thankful for all of you who take the time to watch me. It really does mean a lot to me, as simple a thing as it is. I don't provide a lot of amazing art, so to me that means if you're watching me, it's because you want to. Thank you.

I'm thankful that, in a time of terrible uncertainty, I have a job, at least for now.

I'm thankful for my friends and acquaintances, those who I talk to nearly every day, those I see once in a blue moon online, and those who I no longer can see or talk to but still mean so much to me. All of you mean so much to me, and I thank you. I hope I'm as good a friend to you as you are to me.

I'm thankful for my family. Both of my folks have been disabled for nearly as long as I've been alive, but they continue to fight the daily fight to make our lives a little better. They both have taught me so much, and I try to apply what they've shown me to my own life in their honor. I don't get along very well with my mother for a number of reasons, and I know now that a lot of my childhood was spent in what could be regarded as an abusive situation. But mom's also done a lot of good for all of us. She's an incredibly talented cook, and has passed a lot of cooking theory and technique to me, and I consider every success I've had with food as her doing. Despite her disabilities, she continues to work hard at being domestic, and has been inspiring to me to be strong in the house as well. My father may not be physically able to do a lot anymore, but his mind has never suffered, and he taught me starting as a small, small child to respect my fellow humans and to never prejudge. It's hard, but I do the best that I can. He's also one of the biggest gamers I know. :) My brother taught me to understand better how the world works, and how to see through outward appearances to understand true intentions beneath. He's incredibly intelligent and projects a feeling of almost zen-like peace, which inspires me.

I'm thankful for the four-leggers in my life. Flannel, you are the most adorable little roommate I've ever had. You've taught me that sometimes, all a person needs is a good bellyrub to get them purring again. Spauce, ever my dark child, you've taught me that sometimes the sharpest exteriors hide the sweetest purrs. Ramel, my light child, you make me laugh and shake my head in wonder at your amazements, and sometimes when I'm at my saddest, you just know when a purr and a headbutt can make things better.

And I'm thankful for my sweetie, Kiyoshi. I'm not just being dramatic when I say that I get out of bed and go to work every day for you. You accept my moods, my derps, my failures, my fears, and you don't laugh at my hopes no matter how silly. I'm thankful that you have made such amazing strides in personal strength, and that you now can accept that you are worth so much more than you've been taught by those who are unable to see past themselves long enough to recognize your worth themselves. I'm thankful that you're too strong to fall into the traps your family has set for you, between addictions and self-defeat, and I know that you will rise far beyond their example, and I am thankful that I get to help. :) I love you, sweetie.

So everyone, if you've managed to read this far, thank you. And spend a little time yourselves thinking about the things that you're thankful for. <3