Happy Thanksgiving

Another Thanksgiving is upon us, and there are a lot of things I am thankful for. Family, friends, having a life where I don't have to experience the horrors of the world. There is so much going on out there, and it's really scary. I wonder what the world is coming to, sometimes. Terrible things are in the news, people are homeless and hungry, homes are being destroyed, on and on and on. I would like to think I have perspective, but when I grumble about petty things, I realize I don't really, and thank my lucky stars that all I have to grumble about are petty things.

That being said, I haven't much cared for the holidays in the past. The holidays of my youth were spent with a stepfamily that treated me like crap. It was a drag and I was always glad when it was over and real life could resume. When we lost the kids, I looked upon the holidays with sadness and dread. It is such a cruel reminder of what was taken away from us, and it is a hole that cannot possibly be filled.

This year might be different. Although I miss the kids terribly, the pain and dread are not as acute as they have been in the past. I feel like I can breathe a little. My family is estranged, and I have come to terms with it; and have chosen a new family with which I can be myself. The realization of what a glorious gift that is hit me like a thunderbolt the other day, and I am so glad, lucky, and privileged to have these people in my life.

There will always be reminders and traces of ghosts over the holiday season. But I think this one will be an improvement on last year, and I think they will get better still.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Morning After

Halloween usually doesn't do much for me. It's usually any other day with the exception of giving out candy to the costumed trick-or-treaters in the evening. I eat my dinner and go to bed, just like normal.

Things were different this year. Our department decided to dress up this year and decorate with a comic book store/super hero theme. My friend JD and I pretty much came up with the decoration concepts and made the department look like a comic book store. Another group made a door that looked great. Everyone chose a character and we decorated our own cubes as the lair of our chosen hero. Seeing as there is no way I would dress up as Wonder Woman, or Black Widow, or Super Girl, I chose The Punisher. Dusted off my pleather boots, broke out the trenchcoat, applied copious amounts of eye makeup and donned my skull t-shirt. I felt pretty badass.

HR had a costume contest, department decoration contest, guess the number of candy corns in a jar, and guess the weight of the pumpkin. When Willy Wonka was named the runner up, I knew we were going to win because I thought their display was very nice - and we did! A catered lunch for the whole department, thanks to me and JD! And yes, I DO take the credit. Mwa haha!

Me as The Punisher

A great sign JD made

My geek sale sign

One of the display walls

We're going to have to think of something really good for next year. Maybe Monty Python's Holy Grail or something equally appalling. It is something to look forward to!