T-day 2008

Some years I've found it difficult to think about things I'm thankful for during the holidays. I know that sounds horribly evil and pessimistic, but living in a decade of pure darkness tends to create patterns of thinking, patterns of emotions, that can be extremely hard to dismiss.

I looked at the calendar yesterday and discovered that Thanksgiving Day, which is one week from this very day, falls on November 27th. That date, of course, just happens to be my two month wedding anniversary. Kyle and I couldn't believe it's already been two months, despite the fact that we also feel like we've been married forever. What was my life before he was in it? Shouldn't I be able to remember a year ago? Because that's the point at which he wasn't present in my life.

Here is a small list of things that have brought a tremendous amount of joy to my life this year:

• Finding the love of my life
• The endless support (financial and emotional) from both of our families in the crazy-short-engagement / huge-wedding-planning process
• A honeymoon unlike any other I've ever heard of; one that will make a significant contribution to the book I plan to write
• My nieces (numbering 4, now), who honored us by being fantastic flower girls and insta-friends with each other
• My sisters throwing me a fun party and flying home (each bringing various things for me for the wedding) to be a part of our major celebration
• My friendship with Sara, which has grown into one of the closest and deepest I have known, and our vacation in SC
• Being sure on various levels that I walk with a God greater than any tragic or joyous occasion that I have known, or could know; seeing his light, his hand, his guidance, and feeling his approval on choices I have made this year that will impact my life forever
• Living in a community of believers and working with such incredible people in a job I love (despite the monotony of this week)

I have never known such goodness as I know now. Yes, things go wrong (the faucet sucks and the water heater broke and leaked briney fluid all over the carpet). Life can be irritating and boring, like grading 450 copies of the same freshmen assignment that no one cares about.

But how can any of that weigh against the joy I feel every day when I live in the closest version of God's love that is humanly possible to experience? I tell you, it can't hold a candle to the goodness that surrounds me.

So, this Thanksgiving, I toast to a good year. To love and life as I have never known. To the unending irritations and frustrations that are bound to come out of being married. But to family. To friends who have become my family. To those I love, wherever you are. This is to you.