I feel so grateful to be spending thanksgiving with my two former husbands! Also, my son, his wife, her family of about 5 siblings and parents will attend. This warms my heart! I am feeling creative and am going to get some cooperative games organized along with other interactive activities that encourage connection.

I feel overwhelmed with gratitude that I am able to caretake a large home where we can host so many people. We even have the fold out round tables and folding chairs so we can sit at table that encourage the most interaction. Long, big tables make it hard for everyone to converse.

I might ask people if they are willing to switch tables in the middle of the meal so we can have variety! Let’s see.

I feel thankful for my beautiful garden which is flourishing even in the late fall because of the mild weather as well as the tunnels that Robert (co-caretaker and former husband) helped me make. I am eating huge salads every day, and I can pick all the greens for the thanksgiving salad from the garden.

I am glad that I am feeling comfortable with having turkey and other animal products served. There will be plenty of vegan options, but in the past I have felt uncomfortable with meat being served. I just see this attitude as being hurtful and divisive. How I yearn for my family to be vegan (Cliff, former husband number one is the only other vegan) and yet to try to pressure or guilt-trip them just doesn’t work.

I am grateful that so many people are standing up bravely and showing how the election was fraudulent. And that people, including sheriffs, are saying that they are not going to abide by lockdown rules where they are forced to have certain sizes of gatherings or to have curfews.

I’m thankful that I have learned how to live very simply and in such a way that if there are food shortages, I will be able to survive because of my garden and ability to forage for wild edibles.

I am grateful that I have a dream that I haven’t given up on, even though it has continued to change over the years. Even though I want to start with a monastery, I still want to have an Ecovillage next door and a school.

I am grateful to my body which is so healthy, and able to more and more survive and thrive on one meal a day. During these challenging times, being able to fast every day is important–along with praying and doing spiritual practices.

Finally, I am grateful that my relationship with Jesus just keeps getting more real, joyful, fulfilling and healing. He keeps me from getting discouraged, and infuses me with so much joy.