Giving thanks, this year...

I'm new to blogging, and have set up my own website blog at http://www.caraleisa.com, which will be mirrored here. This is my first message. Please visit caraleisa.com and comment!
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Here we are, a few days before Thanksgiving, 2008, and the country is in crisis, and there’s so much to be sad or concerned about, both nationally, internationally, and personally. It’s so easy to become focused on the negative, the tragic, the disasters, the failures. I want to take the time to remind myself of what things ARE wonderful … and I hope you’ll do the same.
Globally, it seems that we are, as the human race, trying to become more caring for one another. Despite the horrors going on, more and more people are becoming aware of the need to work for peace, for freedom, for food and shelter and education for those who have none. We can do much better, but it’s gratifying to see that we ARE trying to head in a positive direction overall.
Nationally, well, we Americans got ourselved together and elected the first president of hope in half a century. A man whose charisma was able to overcome our jaded disillusionment in the entire governmental process, and once again convince us, make us believe that improvement IS possible if we only work for it. CHANGE is possible. I hope, this Thanksgiving, that our new President will be able to provide the help he so desires to do. We can be thankful that the administration of despotism and self-enrichment is nearly over. We can be thankful that our troops will be coming home over the next year or so. We can hope again. We can hope.
On a personal level, I am so very thankful for my husband and my children, who give my life meaning and bring me a joy that is truly indescribible. I cannot imagine life without them. Things are tough for everyone in this economic era of disaster, but we have homes, we have food and clothing, and we have love. I am so lucky.
I am thankful for my friends… locally, as well as all over the world. In this day and age, we’re not limited to those who live nearby, but are able to meet and experience people from all over the world, from every walk of life, and share moments with them that are enriching beyond anything we could have expected just 30 years ago.
I have some of the greatest friends anyone could want. People who are intelligent, funny, caring, who share not only common goals and beliefs, but something more, the magical bonds we earn together as we go across time and place, searching and growing, learning and living.
I’m thankful that Thanksgiving has come along just as I begin my blog, giving me something to say to start off what I hope to be a place of interest, of personal commentary and provocative ideas. I know there will be plenty of rants, of complaints, disillusionments to come, but for today… I am indeed thankful.
I hope you’ll join me here and add some of the special things that you can be thankful for this holiday week.