overdue.

this is a few hours late, but after I wrote my other “note” on thanksgiving, I got to thinking about how much people don’t have to be thankful for. And this is what came of my thoughts…

Thanksgiving is a hard day for many people; I’d like to think I know this well.
for some, it's the first holiday they've had without a father, or a mother, or a brother, or a sister, or a close friend or relative. Without someone. that's a hard thing to deal with. to celebrate in the wake of a tragedy.

yes, for some people, these holiday seasons are more of a chore than a celebration. it's a process of going through the emotions for the sake of doing something. some people are afraid of the consequences of delving into the true meaning of these things. emotions are a scary thing, and we too often lock them up in dark boxes in the back of our minds, hoping they'll die on their own accord.

I feel like thanksgiving can be a time of honesty and reflection. Look back on the good in life, and be thankful for it. it's a time to open up and reflect on yesterday and what it means for tomorrow. it's also a time to be true and real and honest. Jamie Tworkowski wrote a blog over on TWLOHA’s site, about what thanksgiving means to him. It’s really good; I think you should go read it. he talks about the dark clouds that hang out in the room; the metaphorical elephants in the room that seem to suffocate us, as to keep secrets within those dark boxes in our minds.


I know the concept of 'family' is not always a friendly one. Heck, it's not always easy for me. I don't always enjoy family get-togethers, for various reasons. I know it's even harder for a lot of you. and I’m sorry. I’m sorry you have to go through this. the world doesn't mean to hurt you. Don’t shut out the light. Don’t close your eyes and lock your doors and try to tune everything out. There are things you need to hear. There are people you need to see, and words you need to say. every day is a good day to do those things. to see, and to hear, and to speak. to make your voice heard.

whenever people say something like, "make your voice heard!", I think of rebellion. I think of angry protestors standing in front of buildings with signs and flags, ready to hurt whoever or whatever stands in their way. I don't like that image very much.
when I say "make your voice heard", I mean it in the sense that you belong. you are important. you are beautiful and you are loved, and you don't have to shut your mouth and sit in corners by yourself. there's a beautiful light out there, and it wants to shine on your face, and tell you what you're worth. because you're worth more than you give yourself credit for. You’re worth everything. your words are important. you have things to say. apologies, confessions, praises, thanks, words of encouragement and hope and love. these things are important, and they need to be heard.


Most importantly, I think thanksgiving is a time to remember that you're not alone.
maybe you felt alone. maybe you feel alone everyday. Well, you're not. we're all in this together. we are our own individual people, living our own separate lives; but in our separation, we are one, and we are not alone. we are a community. these people exist, I promise you. and they live outside of those dark boxes in the back of your mind. they live outside the secrets and the burdens and sorrows, and the lies you've been told for so long. these people exist above that, and they want you to rid yourself of insecurity. I want you to rid yourself of this pain you've been holding onto for so long. I want to help you. because in the light, you deserve the best.
but for there to be light, you must remove the darkness.
darkness is just the absence of light.
open the dark boxes in your mind.
right the wrongs.
speak truth in the face of lies.


you are not alone.
you are beautiful.
you are loved.
you are important,
and your voice matters.

people may not listen,
but your words have a place in this life. In this world. Even when you’re gone, people will remember. I will remember.

don't be afraid to speak up.


it's thanksgiving.
look around you, and be thankful.