I am thankful for a lot of things. I am thankful not to have been born into a religious family. I am thankful to have been born into relative abundance. I am thankful that my parents gave me the boot at 15 so that various others could take me under their wings throughout my lifetime to help me achieve some semblance of normalcy. I am thankful for all of the wonderfully imperfect people that I have had the very great privilege to get to know over the years. I am thankful for an exceptional education and many tremendous opportunities over the years. I am thankful for the numerous people who told me that I changed their lives and allowed me to do so. I am thankful for the many furballs who have loved me throughout my lifetime. I am thankful that I will not live long enough to see us finally destroy the Great Mother who has given us everything. I am thankful to be in the position that I don't have to kiss anyone's ass, take any crap, pretend I'm someone that I'm not and say anything that isn't completely true.

I am thankful for this conglomerate of life experiences that assures me that most people are good people who recognize their role in relation to their community and want to make a contribution to the greater good. But mostly I am thankful that I am not a conservative because translating fear into hate and selfishness with lies and manipulation will never establish respect from anyone including self-respect.