thankful

the turkey has been roasted (and basted with apple cider, mmmmmmm), the maple cream tart crust dough is in the fridge, the cornbread pecan dressing is prepped (with help/distractions from an extremely amorous girlfriend) and ready for baking. all the green bean casserole ingredients are on the counter, along with the future mashed potatoes. the Red Wings beat Boston 6-1. i didn't finish the pajama bottoms, but there is Calder Dairy chocolate milk for our morning parade-watching coffee, and that's exciting.

this past tuesday was the 17th anniversary of Dad's death. i was 17 at the time, and it is hard to wrap my head around being twice that age now...especially since this year, the days are arranged exactly as in 1996. he died quite suddenly on the 26th, two days before thanksgiving. we joked that he did it when the family would be getting together anyway, so as not to inconvenience anyone. i had a dream about him late last week...the details are hazy, but i knew that he was dead and "visiting", and we just hung out and talked. i miss him incredibly much. i am so fucking lucky to have had him as my dad.

i have a soft, warm bed, amazing family and friends, two meaningful jobs. Michfest exists, there are stars in the sky, my car is still running, i am in good health, and i will be marrying the woman of my dreams.

Blessed. I am it.

Happy Thanksgiving!