diana cowgill

Thanksgiving is my family’s best holiday. Well, it’s my dad’s best holiday. He has about twenty people over, and they eat too much, and drink too much, and quite often sing. It’s a rager in the grand Conway tradition, and lo, it is good.

I love Thanksgiving, and I have a lot to be grateful for. So here we go, a wee list.

1. FAMILY

I’m ridiculously fortunate in that I both like and love my family. They mean everything to me, and I’m really proud to say that they know it. I’m finally at the age that I don’t care if it’s cool to say I love these four crazy people. To them, to the world, it doesn’t matter who knows the truth because these are some of the most precious relationships I will ever have. My parents and brothers are the people who raised me. They taught me right from wrong, they taught me what was good, what was funny, what was worthwhile. They taught me how to be a Person, and they always did their best. These unquestionably good intentions lead me to forgive them of anything they have done, or will ever do. They are my family; I am Theirs, they are Mine. And they are some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known.

2. BOSOM FRIENDS

God puts the lonely in families. That’s a truism that my wise (and well loved) mother taught me when I was very young, and I believe it with all my heart. I have people across the country who know me, who really know me, and love me in spite of it. Regardless of how rarely I get the pleasure of seeing them, I am aware of, and grateful for, my good fortune of having them in my life.

3. GIANT DOG

My Bailey Bear, the greatest dog (possibly ever), is a very close pal of mine. I love that girl to pieces.

This is a short list, but fairly complete. It’s the relationships in this life that matter. That’s it.