In anticipation of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for my boyfriend who understands when I'm mad at him over fights we've only had in my head. I'm thankful for my team's patience with me. Thankful for Carla for setting up permanent residence in my heart and for Kathia who's one of my favorite people, and not just because she made me an aunt. Thankful for Tomas who adopted me even though I already had parents and thankful for my parents who made me strong, flawed and fortunate. Thankful for my friends who save me every day. For yoga that reminds me there is something divine within me. For my siblings for being more like me and less like me than anyone anywhere. Thankful for whoever created avocado, persimmons and the Platypus. And thankful for the Universe for unfolding as it should despite the fractures in my faith.
My Dad and I are bantering over dinner.
Dad: Just don't lose sight of the fact that you are my creation.
Me: Well, mom did play a role in the matter.
Dad: (Grins.) Please. It was all me. She was just the means of transport.
While I see how this might antagonize any mother, I find it adorable that someone loves me fiercely enough to want the credit for every bit of me.
There are 40 billion planets like Earth out there, and those are only the ones we know about in a universe that is infinite. With those odds, it's possible there is another me out there, drinking coffee her boyfriend brewed, catching up on email and wondering if I exist.
Over breakfast my Dad tells me that at 20 he had his life mapped out, including a nice girl he'd marry. Except a woman unlike anyone he'd ever known was about to appear on the scene. She was larger than life and would forever change the course of his destiny. And she would give him me.
Hurray for indomitable moms and unexpected twists in the futile plans we make.
