Thanksgiving. It's a fairly simple concept. A time of the year to reflect upon that which we have been fortunate enough to receive. It's a lovely little holiday. And while I won't be going home until Christmas, I'm looking forward to my second Chicago Thanksgiving. No real plans yet other than feeling more content. I feel very fortunate that the past couple of months have been going rather well for me. So it seems easy to enjoy Thanksgiving this year. I suppose I could post day by day things I'm grateful for, but it seemed easier to compile them and bask in the view of such an epic list.
1. New friends. I firmly believe you meet people at just the right moment in your life. Exactly when you need them. Sometimes you meet assholes and you become a better person for not killing them. Sometimes you meet people who challenge you and you become a smarter person. And sometimes you meet people who make you forget you feel lonely and you become yourself again. I feel so very, very grateful for a certain couple of ladies who have become my partners in crime and food. Friends that not only literally shower me in glitter like possessed fairies, but bring me out of my reclusiveness and remind me what its like to be alive in a wonderful city and make me feel sparkly. Friends who make sure I eat a polish hot dog at 2 am. Friends whose energy is contagious. Friends who still want to hang out with me after I do my Professor Longarms walk down a very public boulevard. Thank you.
2. Gorilla Tango. They gave me my first performance opportunity and have kept me performing for almost 150 performances in my first year. Every weekend I get the honor of making a new set of people laugh and become a better performer. Where else do you get to dance around in sparkly underpants, do comedic stripteases to everything from "Holding out for a Hero" to the Doctor Who theme to "Highway to Hell," and hang out with some of the funniest people in Chicago? Thank you.
3. My family. This seems pretty cliche, but it's just truth. Honestly, if it weren't for my mother's intense love and strength there is a distinct possibility I would not be alive. I've done some terrible things and I've done many terrible things to myself. And the part of my family that I consider my true family have stood by my hospital beds, they've sat on couches and held me, they've supported me when I couldn't support myself, and their pride in my current pursuits is something I often forget. My family kicks ass. Thank you.
4. Doctors and medical staff who have had mercy on an uninsured me. I have recently been able to get back on medication for my anxiety and depression due to certain medical facilities who make treatment affordable. They have also been very kind and have gone out of their way to speak with me. Thank you.
5. Nice people. Sometimes people do things for you that are unexpected but remind you that there is still quite a bit of good out there. Customers who have given me cards, sang to me, and left candy at my station. The two homeless guys that always compliment me every time I walk to the theatre. People on the bus that pick up dropped items. Fans who go out of their way to say they enjoyed a show. The bank teller that genuinely wishes me a good day and lets me pick out the good candy from the bowl. Thank you.
6. Random awesome things. Yusho gin and tonics, bacon, warm socks, Netflix, dogs, cheese, Gaslight Coffee and coffee in general, music, laughter, Guinness, Guinness (the beer), necklaces with birds on them, oatmeal cookies, the VFW, the tamale guy, hand sanitizer, books, puns, parks, hoodies, and I'm sure I'm forgetting several things... Thank you.
So happy to hear that life is treating you well, and that you are treating yourself well too. :) This is a great time to be thankful, and we're thankful for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm super happy to have met you :] You are a really sweet and funny person that I look forward to getting to know more!
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