Thankful

This Thanksgiving I am, despite the very odd year we have all had, thankful. I'm still here. I have two daughters who came into my life in a non-traditional way, and we're still a family, though we are half a country apart today. Next year for sure. Still, I cannot help but think of the many chairs at the Thanksgiving table that are empty today, some of them permanently. Even though that is hard, I'm thankful that it looks like we stand a chance to start living normally again by this time next year. 

I'm thankful that we have a lot better chance as a country to hang together next year. And I am thankful that many of you out there are going to work to make it happen. For those of you who are not willing to let go of grudges, I cannot be thankful for you, but I'll make an effort to love you anyway.

I'm also thankful for the other adopted families that I have - as someone who is quickly becoming older, these extended families are a comfort.

I'm thankful that I have a beautiful dinner tonight, even though I am eating it by myself. It is full of healthful food from my local food co-op. I am thankful that I have had the privilege of working to, as we like to say, run a grocery store with my friends. And the co-op has become not only a bunch of friends but also another family. 

Another family that has come into my life is the Wisconsin Farmers Union. Although I am only a farmer in the most remote way possible, I've met many wonderful people in the Farmers Union and am looking forward to being at the virtual convention with you all soon. It's the best example of participative democracy that I know of, and I'm always happy and proud to meet. Let's hope that we can start being in the same room again real soon now, and have another one of those wonderful harvest dinners.

Last of all, you readers are another family of mine. I get encouragement and thanks from you and it is always a sweet surprise. Some of you even contribute money to keep things spinning along here. It's a small family but I am working on making it grow. You'll be hearing a little more about that in the next week. Some days this work is discouraging but at the moment there is actually some money in the company account, and a bunch of plans and hopes and dreams. 

I have a couple of Thanksgiving traditions, which feel odd without my long-time partner Lori. Ther is music in the house today, which of course is a must. And I'll share two of my other favorite Thanksgiving traditions here since I can with the wonders of modern technology.