A Pilgrim and an Indian Have a Party

       Thanksgiving typically brings up similarly following subjects: turkey, casseroles(green bean,sweet potato, etc.), turkey, black Friday,  turkey, traveling,  turkey.  Nothing is wrong with any of this.  I, like every other good American, does enjoy a tasty meal(or more) on this beloved holiday.  However, does anyone remember why we gorge upon delicious foods? Upon asked, many would say "Pilgrims" or perhaps "Indians" or maybe even "America", but the gorging did have a purpose.  The 

Pilgrims had been through thick.  They had known famine as an unending characteristic of their new life.  They chose freedom over security.  They gave up prosperity to follow a calling.  What is more, the people that should have been (and some were for a time) enemies ended up being their God-sent heroes, literally.  The story may not be forgotten, but with time the impact loses power.  As elastic loses its stretch over time, stories of old often seem less relatable. People do not change.  Our flesh has not changed since the beginning of time.  Add a few iPhones, tablet, and possibly a flying car, and the story of the first Thanksgiving could happen today.  I love pumpkin.  I love a great sale.  Let us not lose sight of the sacrifice and important time of family(even the ones that do not technically share the same blood).  Also, cliche as it sounds, let us not forget thankfulness does not have to only be a once a year thing. And finally, it is officially Christmas time, the most wonderful time of the year, to say the least.

An Ode.

     So I began thinking of Christmas... which reminded me of how I  dislike when Thanksgiving gets overlooked... and so I began thinking of all the marvelous reasons I have to be grateful. I am truly blessed with an overwhelming amount of folks whom I treasure dearly. All of whom each deserve more than their own post, but, however, words will never begin to describe them. So, for the sake of in the very least giving some recognition I am aching to give, firstly I'd like to begin with the non-relatives. Although these people don't technically hang on my family tree, they are connected to me through a way far more reaching trace than blood.  They have not any idea that I am doing this, argo, because of lack of permission, I will not be using their names.

             The first acknowledgment I'd like to make is certainly a priceless treasure to my life.  Without reason, nor anything to gain, Eliza, we will call her, reached out to me when and how I needed most. No way would I have ever asked for help, but she saw through the fake front, and though we hadn't much of a relationship past acquaintance, she was Jesus with skin on. To say she is a best friend is not fair. To say she is a mentor is not fair.  In fact, through searchings of the dictionary I have yet to find a fitting title.  After she took such a daring, and possibly offending and even possibly hatred-toward-her-forming move(which is so unlike her), we found we sure were a lot more alike than meets the eye. A few of these likenesses are: coffee fans, hardcore thrifters, mixed-cd lovers, D.I.Y. craft junkies, challenging exercisers, and one of the biggest, hard-to-accept-our-flawless-image Jesus creations.  What a strong, beautiful, talented, graceful, inspiration she has been and is to this day to me.

          As this next chum might say, lights, camera, action, moving right along. He we shall call him cowboy. Never have I felt the same kind of betrayal and anger that I've felt towards him. It wasn't the same.  Sure I've been angry, but that movie, or book crap where a character cries because they can't help but love this person, only has that happened with this guy. Not ever in any romantic kind of way, but true-blue more than friend kind of way. I don't think it would've hurt so much if I didn't care to the extent that I did, or if he hadn't always been such a loyal, over-achieving friend.  Also, never have I felt so guilty for feeling so angry at, nor have I felt so special and belonging and unstoppable, rather than with this person. He makes me feel like I have worth. He seems to be so sure that I'm going somewhere, doing something, going to do more! He was always there to calmly get me through the lowest parts of life.And though I can't say for sure, I tried to be there for him. We take things so personally, both of us.  We want to save the world, but at some point those who give all have to be refilled.  We are so similar. From art appreciation, to common interests, to Mexican and Cajun food, and even to liking depressing music, we share something. This something isn't a level attained by years, or effort, or money-giving of friendship; it's there, or it isn't. And boy, am I glad it is.

            And lastly(for now), but certainly not least...cheesy, perhaps, but cheesy is befitting for the next hero/leading lady/amazingly my non-related sister. Not the annoying cheesy, rather the rare, adorable, gosh-everyone-wants-to-be-you-or-at-least-with-you cheesy. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, tis time to talk about Magnolia. Well, who we'll be referring to as Magnolia. Where to begin! Try to imagine heaven, and this is comparable to her presence. Imagine the impossibly brightest star on the canvas of an open Arkansas night in mid-July, and this is like her smile.  Imagine the refreshing feel of cool rain while the sun shines after times of drought, and this is like her laughter. Imagine the most unconventionally stunning thing ever of life, and this is like her face. Artsy. Funny. Precious. Kind. Pure. How on earth did we become best friends? Beyond me, it may be, but I would not like to imagine what my life would be like without her shoulder to lean upon, and her car to ride and vent in with windows rolled down, and her comedic relief and wise advice while sharing raw cookie dough.

              So much more could be written about these impeccable pals, but sometimes, less is more.
And sometimes, you can't always get what you want. And sometimes, just sometimes, what you need ends up being more than you ever imagine wanting. There is a time and place for everything. And now, is the time for goodbye, but only until it's time to say hello again.