Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart

I am grateful that I have a lovely daughter,
That she is healthy, vibrant, happy and full of life
I am grateful that she has so much ahead of her
And I am grateful that I get to see her marvel at life
Every single day.

I am grateful that I have a loving partner,
Who suffers my quirks and encourages my strengths
Who stays even when I push him away
I am grateful that we have worked through so many of
Our differences and that we steadily continue to do so
Slowly, with grace (or without) and with friendship
I am grateful that he has changed so much,
That his strengths are ever more so
His patience so enduring
His love, completely engulfing
I feel safe, cherished and loved.

I am grateful that I have come so far
That I have been able to forgive
and then had the grace to receive it too
I am grateful that a year that began with anxiety
Now ends in promise.

I am grateful that my best friend got married on Saturday
And that her lovely little girl finally has someone to call dad
A father who loves her, pays attention to her and is truly there.

I am grateful that my cucu is still with us,
A hundred years plus and plus, and still counting
And I can’t wait to see her tomorrow
I am grateful for parents, my 8 siblings
And all my 12 nephews and nieces.

I am grateful that I have a good job and that the bills get paid

I am grateful that some of the IDP’s left homeless
After suffering violence and pain that cannot be recounted,
Following tribal hostilities wrought by a disputed election two years ago,
Are getting into new homes by Christmas.

I am truly grateful.

It has been a remarkable year
I am grateful for everything I have experienced,
Everything I have learned, let go of, gained and lost
And I look forward to another year with great hope
Imani, Amani, Baraka
Faith, Peace, Blessings, everyone,
Happy Holidays.

Incredible Year

It has been too long. So much has happened: births, deaths, anniversaries, weddings, divorces… many steps forward and a few steps back.

It has been an incredible year too.

Obama is President.

My little girl walked on January 23, a few days after the inauguration that we all watched, transfixed, uplifted and hopeful.

She turned one in April, cut most of her teeth, outgrew many cute little outfits, cried some, laughed more and brought such unspeakable joy to so many people.

I started a new job, travelled to Europe for the first time, enrolled in graduate school and moved in with someone that has transformed right before my eyes.

I got a new car, made some new friends, lost a lot of weight and then gained some of it back, lost touch with old friends and rekindled forgotten friendships.

An incredible year indeed.

But, it has been awfully long. I do not read as much as I would like, or watch as many movies as I used to. My life is completely transformed… the labels grown up, mature, mom, wife even, all sound strange but I pick each cap and wear it with pride. Sometimes I have to don several caps all at once. Never mind that they are mismatched and sometimes even conflicting. Hiding from my little girl so I can study or cram for exams, get up early to make pancakes when my body aches for more and more sleep, turning down family events because I have to stay with my own little family…tiny conflicts, each teaching you something new.

It is no longer just about my happiness or my dreams and plans. It’s all encompassing and so widely scoped it’s a small miracle it does not all come crashing down.

I am blessed and I am happy.

It has been a truly incredible year.

The other half promises a better year next year. We’ll move houses, perhaps we’ll have an additional member in our tightly knit unit. Perhaps.

But, whatever life throws our way, I am confident that we’ll be alright. I look forward to it all, chaff and gems, muck, mire and treasure.

Happy Holidays.