This year, Meg gets no Thanksgiving.

When the Canadian one rolled around, I was in Boston.

And now that it’s turkey time in Boston?

I’m in the damp, unyielding rainforest of Vancouver, working away.

Talk about bad planning!

My parents are much smarter than I am, of course, and did the very opposite thing. They managed to get turkey on the Canadian holiday AND are currently sharing the day with their (Canadian!) friends in Phoenix right now.

Sigh.

While I do wish that I were with Gradon on the East Coast, I can’t deny that I’m still too thankful to actually be grouchy about missing out on turkey and cranberries and stuffing and pumpkin pie and… okay, maybe I am a little grouchy.

But still thankful.

So, in true and heavily predictable Meg form, I thought I’d make a list of things I’m thankful for THIS VERY SECOND.

THANKFUL FOR… (in random order… because no other kind of order will do…)

The fact that it’s not actually raining right now

My quad-shot non-fat, no-whip Gingerbread Latte, purchased specially this morning to ward off my jealousy about turkey dinners, because heaven knows, a coffee is better than an ENTIRE DINNER. Clearly my plan did not work

The fact that I have not yet spilled coffee on my white shirt

My mom teaching me to cook (and to love cooking), so I could technically go home tonight and whip up my own Thanksgiving-esque feast that might outdo some of the dry turkey and soggy stuffing some folks will be eating WHAT A GOOD IDEA I THINK I SHALL

The fact that I can listen to Christmas music without Americans bitching at me as of tomorrow — not that they ever should have, the jerks

My role in helping Eric and Cat get ready for their wedding in just a couple of weeks — I’m honored!

Having a warm, safe home to return to every night

Having loving parents that I can depend on for support, grace, good humour and kindness. It’s a true privilege to grow up and experience friendship with your parents, on top of all the good parent-kid stuff

Opportunities that manage to shine through all the fog of trying to figure out the details of my future

Coffee. I know I already mentioned it, but damn

Lists of all kinds

My whole amazing group of friends, who know me well and love me anyway

All the work and effort my parents, teachers, editors and colleagues have put into making me a better writer, and for the ability to grow and learn more about this vocation I love so much

The fact that I am simple-minded enough to giggle at almost nothing, and how that makes every day better

Not developing any sort of pneumonia or bronchitis since the end of April, and leaving behind the worst year of health I’d had in a long time (knock on wood)

The Internet. While it is a den of thieves and a refuge for jackals and other things that sound dramatic and indicate the presence of craptacular people, it’s also a place I’ve found community, work, friends and love.

All the joy and inspiration music brings into my life, especially Handel’s Messiah (my current pick)

A body that gets me where I need to go, even if it is round and kind of dysfunctional — and the ability improve it with some discipline and effort

In-suite laundry, which warms my OCD soul

Being able to travel thousands of miles in just a few hours

The reason for all my recent travel: Gradon. Honey, if I loved you more, my heart would probably pop out of my chest and try and hug someone, which would be messy and weird and awkward with the blood, not to mention that I’d probably die and then my heart would have to forge a life for itself, which is tough since it doesn’t have any ID or money or clothes, although my fingerless gloves would probably suit poky-outy veins rather nicely and being a heart, it would have lots of love to give. Well, that went in a weird direction

GRADON. Let’s try this again. I love you. Thank you for being loving in return; for being kind, brilliant, smart and handsome beyond my wildest dreams; for putting up with all my idiot-sync-crazies; for letting me be a part of E’s life, and for making me laugh at least once every single day

You. Yes, you. For taking a moment to read my random, often repetitive, often nonsensical, often overemotional, frequently awkward words here, and for honoring me with your attention. I both do and DO NOT take it for granted, but I am always thankful for the outlet and for my own little place to be uncompromisingly me

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!