Self-Reflection

This year's holidays prove to be a little non-traditional for a wide variety of reasons. I won't be able to make it to see my family due to all my work and rehearsal conflicts, but I have another family to join, which makes me feel all love-full inside. And, in reflection of all that's happened throughout 2008 so far, I have a lot to be grateful for. I decided to be listy today because really, do you have that much time this weekend before you get to your turkey or veggie-turkey eating? No. No you do not. That pumpkin pie is calling and your grandma's homemade rolls. Dude. I get it. So here goes..

I'm grateful for:

* the love of my family - my mom has never been so happy and supportive and my stepfather has proven to be a constant source of strength for all of us.

* that even tho my stepfather was recently diagnosed with a pretty yucky cancer, we just found out it's type 3, which hey - isn't as bad as type 4 apparently - and he'll begin chemo next month (not fun). He's facing that challenge with courage in the face of all our anxieties about it and I'm ever so proud.

* the moment that Boyfriend fell in love with me about five months ago - a moment I won't ever forget and wasn't sure would happen because I know how maddening I can be sometimes. He can change my whole perspective on a crappy day because he's such a bright and positive force. He isn't afraid to call me on my shit and listen when I need it.. and he cops to his own mistakes as well when we have the misunderstandings any couple would. He's adorable, funny, crazy smart and sexy, and one of the most fun people I know. I'm completely and fantastically in love with him.

* Jake's family - who are welcoming me to their Thanksgiving and Hanukkuh holidays. Their Thanksgiving is probably similar to my family's, however, it will be my first Hanukkuh, which apparently isn't such a huge deal to any of them, especially Jake, as it is to me because hi! MY FIRST HANUKKUH! Duh. I'm excited to spend holidays with his family because that's part of him and they drink wine and laugh like he does and I see where he gets certain aspects of his personality from his mom or his dad.. it's just all kinds of awesome. And we play lots of Scrabble! What's not to love?

* my friends:

to Shine, who's been my little sister and put up with the good and the bad of us living together, but who I love as family with all my heart.

to Fatima and Loren - even tho I never see them, like ever, but when we get together, it's like no time has even passed. They are still two of my favorite people cuz we all just get each other.

to Kari and Megan who I've known since high school and will always be in my life - Kari especially who is always just a phone call away and never questions when we haven't talked and I need her or she needs me - we're just there.

to Eight who always shows me there is more to life than what I already know, the ever adventurous in many things, who pushes my comfort zone, and who I'm so happy to see is graced with a smart and sexy new love who is completely sane, kind, and without drama. Congrats dear friend!

to Jason and Mike who come out when they have time for wine, theatre, and other random events and who are two of the kindest male friends in my life.

to Abby who is now back in the area with her new baby and family and who I always miss more after seeing her gorgeous face in our brief moments of catching up.

to Erin, Paul B, Paul S and Boz to taking a great risk on that crazy adventure to Burning Man with me this year - what amazing times we had, what a story we had to tell once we returned, and what a lovely bond we all created. So happy we had that together!

to the girlfriends I don't get to see often but whom I love anyway - Ana (with whom we shared a lovely last minute birthday party), Katie, Cindy, and Cayetana - love you to bits and wish I had more room for more time with all of you. Let's try to make up for that..

* this new love - Balagan Theatre - the beautiful chaos that's become a new home of mine where I get to work in the arts, make things happen, be apart of a creative energy that I've been needing for so long. It's wonderful and stressful, but there's so much life there, even if the drama is offstage at times, I love being apart of it all.

I hope everyone takes a moment to reflect on what you have, what others do not comparitively, and remember how lucky we all are. Hug your family and friends, tell them you love them, make a donation, skip the madness of Black Friday, unless of course it makes your mom happy (which it did mine last year so I understand), and have a very safe and happy holiday!

Now go! Eat some pie!