A Holiday Worth Giving Thanks For

   Thanksgiving Day.

   It's my third one on my own, and it's been easily the best of the lot. Holidays and I sometimes don't mix well. Two years ago, I was still getting my footing after Roxanne's death. Last Thanksgiving was just depressing. So this year, I decided that instead of fighting the day, I would make it mine.

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Isn't that facial expression indescribeable? !!! My BFF Cathy wondering if I will poison anyone by throwing together a Thanksgiving meal.

   It was an uncertain day in some ways. My best friend Cathy and her husband Lew, knowing I sometimes feel like an odd sock on holidays, made sure I knew that I would be welcome with them. Their family always does it up right on Thanksgiving. Cathy had an early work day, but would be off in plenty of time to join in the celebration.

   Still, I declined their offer to let me tag along to their family get-together. It was an incredible invitation, and a testament to what special friends Cathy and Lew are, but theirs is a family gathering, and pretty crowded, too. Plus, I was scheduled to be on the air Thanksgiving evening. Nothing like getting stuffed, then have to get up and go to work.

Here are the products of my culinary labor. When motivated, I can be productive.

   Truth be told, it was not a totally happy Thanksgiving. I have a friend who's been going through the wringer lately, and is wrapped in misery. I've been there myself, much too often over the years. Closer to home, there's some teenage drama with relatives, so I'm worried. But worry doesn't help. There's not much I can do about either sitation. Trying to take a cue from Cathy, and not fixate on things I can't change, I did my best to let those concerns alone. This is a holiday, after all.

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   So, on with the holiday! This is all new to me, so I opted for the path of least resistance. I took the traditional route: Food, good food. I'll brag for a moment. I'm actually a pretty good cook. As I never cared for turkey, I made a chuck roast with corn and rice. Nothing fancy, but warm, happy and filling, much like I strive to be in my new life.

My friend Kristi baked a pumpkin pie. There was so much left over! (Yeah, right.)

   As I said earlier, I worked on Thanksgiving -- that's a fact of life in broadcasting -- so I shared my Thanksgiving meal with some of my holiday shift co-workers, and with my friend Kristi, another member of the "gotta-work-on-Thanksgiving" society. We have shared a running joke for several years about spending Thanksgiving together, so it was fitting that we finally go to do it.

   Kristi brought a pumpkin pie, fresh from her oven, for us to share. I liked Kristi a lot even before she brought me pie. Now I like her even more. Pie will do that to a fellow.

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   Today's lesson? Call it reader's choice: You get to pick. Either I was damned lucky, or things in LIFE 4.0 are getting easier with time.

Maybe both things are true. I do know that I am damned lucky. And I'm pretty certain I'm learning not to let distractions and misfortune throw me off my stride. Today, to quote "The Quiet Man," was a fine, soft day. It was a day filled with camaraderie, accomplishment, caring gestures, homemade pleasures, and long-ago promises finally fulfilled. It's a day that was much needed, and for that, I give thanks.

StevenK