Gratitude ? ? ?

This is that time of the year to give thanks.

Thanksgiving isn't just about sitting down to a table laden with good food, as we're reminded by friends, family, TV commercials, etc., if not by our own conscience. It's a time for us to be grateful.

Grateful for the blessings in our lives.

Grateful for the friends and family who grace our lives.

Grateful for partners who love, stand by us, and respect us.

Grateful for the furry little creatures we share our homes with.  Who make us laugh and who fill our hearts.

I am grateful.  Eternally grateful.  For so much.


But I'm also angry.


Angry that the whole world seems to be at war.

Angry that some of the most hateful, most ignorant people on God's green earth feel as though they have what it takes to lead our nation.

Angry that we have people living on our streets without a roof over their head.

Angry with so much that is so wrong.

So this Thanksgiving, I hope you'll forgive me if I don't seem as graciously grateful as many might feel I should be.

Truth be told, I'm feeling guilty about feeling grateful.  

But mostly I'm just feeling kinda sad and wishing life were more fair.  

If it were fair, no child would go to sleep hungry.  

No parent would go without sleep worrying about how they'll feed that hungry child.  

Not one single person would have to sleep in a doorway tonight, or knock on an invisible door at an invisible border seeking shelter to replace the home he's lost.

Yes I'm sad.

And so worthlessly, uselessly angry.