Thanksgiving

Janet Reid

There will be a lot of blog posts about what to give thanks for this week.

I'm thankful for the election of the new president.  Not just who won (but yes, I am thankful for that as well), but that once again, we transferred power peacefully.  Even in the shadow of war and a crashing economy, there were no tanks or riot police in the streets.  Neither Barack Obama, nor John McCain, had to seize power. We lent it. Willingly.

Despite the intense differences and harsh rhetoric on both sides, when the votes were counted, we all agreed that was how it was going to be. There's a lot to be thankful for in that.

I'm thankful for the blog posts by Dick Cavett that run on the New York Times webpage.  I'd love to be even half as smart, half as witty, half as influential as Dick Cavett.  

I'm thankful for Sarah McLachhlan, whose performance at the American Music Awards was televised last night. I watched in the local laundromat my usual  Sunday night location.  Her lovely voice reminded me that art elevates us all.  It was interesting everyone else in the laundromat turned to watch and listen to her too.  

I am thankful for Tara Dononvan whose exhibit at the Institute for Contemporary Art in Boston reminded me artists can find beauty and innovation in the most common everyday objects.  Their art then transforms how we see things.  

I am thankful for the wisdom of Father Santo, my parish priest, whose homily on Sunday was drawn from the Gospel of Mathew: what you did to the least of these my brethren, you did to Me. Just when we are all worried about the economy and what will happen to our jobs, and our finances, Father Santo reminded us that what we give when it is hardest is the measure of our humanity. Facing the worst economic crisis in eighty years is frightening. Father Santo reminded us all that fear is the opposite of love.

I'm thankful for Jeff Cohen who invited me to be a part of this blog and gave me the opportunity to talk about things that mean a lot to me, and the book publishing industry which I love beyond reason.  

And I'm thankful for those of you who read it and comment in return.

Happy Thanksgiving indeed.