Happy Thanksgoating

I’ll be the first to admit there’s a dearth of things to be thankful about this particular fourth Thursday of November. If you’ve been paying attention at all, the evidence is pretty strong. I need not go into details.

Unlike a serving of yams, I won’t sugarcoat it. This isn’t a feel-good, hey-everything-will-be-fine post. I’m very, very worried about the future, well beyond the next four years.

But I’ll tell you what. I’m thankful for and to the people who speak up, who are vocal, who have everything to lose and still put it all on the line. America is based on people telling others to stuff it when they become oppressed, and while our society has been and remains imperfect in many ways, this is still one of its greatest strengths.

If you need something to hold on to, find what it is and grab it with as much fervor as you can muster. But save some for the road ahead, because you’ll need it.

For me, that anchor is manifold. It includes true patriots who fight for what America means. It includes my friends and family. It includes the Universe itself, which I honestly do turn to in times of stress to remember that there is majesty and beauty and vast scale against which to put my own life in perspective.

And my goats. They help too.

Whatever it is for you, hold on. We all need you, very much. And we will continue to need you, even after we get out of this current mess. America is never finished; there’s always more to do, and we need everyone we can to help it along.