A week of Thanksgiving

Last week was a long one. And a short one. Isn't that how vacation weeks go? While not technically vacation for me, it was for Angela so I went along for the ride. Plus, I was still experiencing the cough from hell so really, not much was gonna get done at the desk. 

It was a long week because it was a holiday week and Angela and I weren't with our family. Yes, we have each other out here on the opposite coast but it's still tough. Knowing everyone's back home, together. But we pushed through. There were only a few moments of sadness on Thursday when we were racing home to eat a deli turkey sandwich after having spent a lovely morning at the zoo. Those moments are natural and I think it's okay to experience them. The sadness and longing makes the next time we are all together that much more special.

But the week was definitely a good one overall. We kicked it off with two plays -- KINKY BOOTS at the Pantages and HANDLE WITH CARE at the Colony. We spent time crafting with a friend. We bought over a hundred oranges to share with the homeless guests on Tuesday.

And on Wednesday we wound our way through the fashion district and downtown to the outskirts of the county where we found the L.A. Food Bank. And yes, my arms are still sore.

Thursday we did the zoo and chatted with some friends who turned us on to the idea. We also made Cuban food and watched a WEST WING marathon. We had pumpkin pie and talked to mom and dad and the day progressed like any other. It wasn't the same as Thanksgivings I've had in the past but my life isn't the same. And that's okay.

In less than two weeks I'll board my flight for the mitten (please have snow!) and enmesh myself in Christmas preparations and family activities. I'll wrap presents and bake cookies and spend time with old friends and new. I can't wait.

But, I'm still in Los Angeles. And I'm still in the midst of that week of Thanksgiving. We took Henry Huggins, our bear for the kids at the pediatric AIDS clinic, to church last Sunday. We dressed him in Angela's hand-knit scarf and put him down front in the sanctuary with all the other newly dressed bears. Angela likened it to the first day of school. Nervous to leave Henry with all the other kids, looking to see what everyone else is wearing. But most of all, those moments smiling at all the bears reminded me that the week of Thanksgiving can't end. Not yet. Not ever really.

While I wasn't with my family on the holiday last week, I was with people who love me. I wasn't alone. I wasn't homeless. I wasn't hungry. I wasn't diagnosed with HIV or cancer or something else that NyQuil can't cure.

I was loved. I was cared for. I was spoiled really. There were meals out in restaurants and movies and plays and Christmas presents bought. There was frozen yogurt and laughter and fun. There wasn't much bad at all.

I have to remember to have that sense of thanksgiving continually. To have that spirit with me in the valleys as well as the hills. I want to keep Thanksgiving with me this Christmas and beyond...