Happy Appreciation-Having

Tomorrow is the day we here in America are supposed to set aside for "giving thanks." (In reality, we mostly set it aside for eating turkey, which I'm definitely intending to do. But that is supposed to be the idea.) As a non-theist, I have to admit, I've always been a tiny bit uncomfortable with that, because "giving thanks" really means "giving thanks to God." And I don't believe there's a deity who is responsible for my good fortune, or who exists to receive my thanks. But I am very, very much capable of being appreciative of the things I have, and grateful to my fellow human beings for the good things they do. And, in that spirit, I want to talk about the several things that have happened today that have made me happy.

To begin with, it's a beautiful day. The sky is blue, the trees are golden, and the weather is just cool enough to make my comfy Blogger hoodie feel absolutely perfect without punishing me if I walk outside without putting it on.

I was watching some Babylon 5 on DVD earlier (in itself something to be "thankful" for), and remembered that I needed to drop by a friend's house and pick up some other tapes and DVDs I'd lent him. (Including the entire series run of Blake's 7, which, by the way, he loved.) So I gave the guy a call and headed over there. When I walked in the door, I was greeted by Babylon 5 playing on DVD. And I'm thinking now how delighted I am that I have friends who share my enthusiasms and tastes. Y'know, the memory of being a lonely junior high school geek who thought she'd probably never find any kindred spirits is still awfully strong.

After visiting my friend, I went by the local Tastee Freez for an ice cream (having promised myself a low-fat dinner and no snacks for the rest of the day, because I've been slipping at the healthy-eating stuff way too often of late). There was a sign at the drive-in window saying "We will close at 4 PM today." "Good for you," I thought. "Go home. Spend some time with your families." I've had to work on holidays, and late the day before holidays, often enough. It's good to see people with shit jobs catch a bit of a break once in a while. I didn't say this, mind you. I just ordered my ice cream. And when the woman with the crappy fast-food job handed me my ice cream and I reached for my wallet to pay for it, she smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. Have a happy Thanksgiving!" Yes, she gave me free ice cream. And you know something? I have a really strong urge now to go and do something nice for somebody else.

That's stuff to be appreciative of.