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What I'm Thankful For

My holiday weekend was a little bit different this year...

With our families being 4+ hours away, and Dee having to work retail Thanksgiving day, Eli and I got to spend some much needed quality time together.  There was no turkey, no mashed potatoes, no stuffing, no pumpkin pie, no family gathering...just me and lil' man hanging out!  I took advantage of this self-care day - I caught up on some reading, watched movies, cooked a meal, knitted a hat (yep - this is something I NEVER thought I'd ever try), and of course played with a toddler. 

Even though I was not surrounded by mine or Dee's extended family, I still know I have a lot to be grateful for.  I spent some part of Thanksgiving reading articles, blog posts & social media accounts on the unfiltered history behind this national holiday, and it truly put in perspective the hardships others (Native Americans, for example) had to suffer in order for my very presence to exist in this country.  I'm not proud of this portion of our country's history (or slavery, for that matter) but the least I can do is become more educated on historical events, and not be complacent with the sugar-coated history lessons we're taught in school.


I will not even pretend I'm an expert on this topic, so I will re-share an Instagram post by @theconsciouskid, that I also shared on my personal account:

#Repost @theconsciouskid
・・・
"This holiday can be sugar-coated as much as people like to justify colonial violence, but note that it is a painful, annual reminder of our genocide and white supremacy — two of the very foundations of this country, alongside slavery. This day is viewed as the National Day of Mourning by several Native communities, which was started as a protest in 1970 — organized by the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) to honor our ancestors and highlight the struggles they endured then to modern times, as well as the acknowledgement of the racism and oppression experienced today.

To me, Thanksgiving is a reminder of our resistance as Indigenous People navigating this settler society that continuously tries to erase and destroy us, yet we are still here. I will spend it honoring my ancestors and their fight for survival." -Full @papermagazine article by Allen Salway is posted to our FB page or can be accessed via the link in @lilnativeboy's profile. Thanks for posting about this article @itsybitsyresisters. 
#thanksgiving #nativeamerican #native#indigenous #navajo #dayofmourning#resist #resilience #antiracist #decolonize


This post, my blog, and any other site sharing this information is by no means saying Americans SHOULD NOT celebrate 'Giving Thanks' on a yearly basis;  Nor should someone feel the need to hold all the guilt for the acts our ancestors committed.  (White guilt is a real thing).  What this information is hopefully spreading is:
                      1.  Conversation, first & foremost,  and 
                      2.  Increased understanding of the term 'privilege' and why marginalized populations are                             rightly angry.

I also hope that now when you enjoy your paid holiday time off (as I did last week), you'll really tune in to what you are thankful for, and not just forget the sacrifices others have endured for your comforts. 

So what am I especially grateful for this year?
  • My family - especially when my mom makes a surprise visit for an extended girls' weekend!
  • Mine and my family's health
  • New and old friendships
  • Being able to share my passions with my coworkers & clients daily
  • The ability to learn new things, grow as a person & my drive to consistently BE better
  • My fellow humans who are loving, compassionate & kind to ALL
This list could continue on...and on...and on...but I will stop there for yours and my time sake :)  If you're unsure how to start your own gratitude list, I'd definitely recommend keeping a daily journal like I shared HERE to see how much joy (big or little) you can identify in your life.  
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While United States history hasn't always been 'squeaky clean' or just, I'm hoping that our generation (and those to come) can start making positive changes to improve our future...for all who call themselves Americans.  

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