I know you are busy today. You probably have a list a mile long of things that need doing. Perhaps you're still in bed and giving Facebook a quick check before you start your day. Maybe you're taking a break with a cup of coffee before the crowd shows up. Or, maybe there won't BE much of a holiday for you this year. Whatever your circumstance this day, won't you take a moment and share with us just one thing, no matter how big or how small, that you are thankful for today?

I've known this man for forty years. We've drifted in and out of contact over the years but I always catch up with him when the annual newsy Christmas letter arrives.

Lionel and I share a birthday and rarely miss a call, e-mail, or text wishing each other well. One year he called all excited and told me I'd never guess what his wife gave him for his birthday. After several guesses, he gleefully exclaimed his only son had arrived on his birthday! He was beside himself with pride and joy. It wasn't long before two beautiful daughters completed their family.

They are sitting in the booth across from me. A frail elderly man, a middle aged woman, and a young woman with a developmental disability. They are out for a celebratory holiday meal together. She orders waffles. He has a small senior meal. Her voice is loud with excitement. They don't notice because they are too busy loving her.

The farther along we are on this grief journey, the easier it becomes to lie. After a while, people can become weary of hearing our truth. After a while, it may seem they only want to hear the good stuff. Most are uncomfortable with the bad stuff. It's too real. It's too honest to hear our suffering after so much time has passed because that means they too could suffer like this when their turn comes. It's too frightening to hold onto. It's too close to home. So, many times they are more comfortable with the lie. "I'm fine. Really." "Oh, you know...I have my moments but overall, I'm doing great!" Lies.

My brother was born with cerebral palsy. He received therapy services from the Easter Seals Treatment Center for free as we had very little money growing up. My mom came from good, solid stock and she was determined she would somehow repay them for these services. Somewhere in the '60s, she started working for the Center full time as their secretary putting together their mass-mailed fundraising efforts. She refused to take any pay for 7 years. Finally, the Board of Directors got together and insisted she get a paycheck for her services. She was so proud.

Last night, I met several of my cousins for dinner at a pretty good Italian place. They had the best cheese bread I've ever eaten in my life! There was a bittersweet purpose in our gathering. My cousin Tommy has mesothelioma. He's doing great. He's having chemo and it is giving him some wonderful time to share with his family and friends. We are all so grateful to have him here.

RV Family Travel Atlas produces an excellent podcast series about their adventures as a family of five, living and traveling in their RV. In Episode 63, broadcast this morning, they discuss Janine Pettit's new podcast series called Girl Camper: Going Places, Doing Things in which I was featured yesterday (Episode 5). If you have the time, listen to these two podcasts. I was so humbled by the kind things they said about me and the interview yesterday. I'm featured right at 13 minutes into the broadcast. What a happy feeling this gives me!

We're sliding into Thanksgiving week now. Some of you will be heading out this weekend to visit family for the holidays. Some will be putting the final touches on the house and double checking the grocery list. And...some of you will be paralyzed with fear and sadness at facing your first (or yet another) holiday without your loved one. It can be wicked hard. I know this.

I've been talking about this book for what seems like for-EV-er! A friend sent me a meme the other day about the different stages of writing a book. It starts with grabbing a cup of coffee and a Superwoman cape all the way down to "Holy crap! This is such a bunch of hoo-haw! No one in their right mind is going to want to read this stuff!" Then you eat your way into an ice cream coma. Well, pass the Haagen Daz, kids...I'm at that point. I know it's only because I've read this stuff like...a GAZILLION times that I think it isn't any good. Then I stumbled upon a flash of total brilliance, if I do say so myself.

The angry rhetoric on my personal Facebook page lately has been disheartening. From people with whom I share genes to literal strangers who have somehow been included in my "friends list", I have witnessed shocking ugliness. Shocking. Ok, perhaps my shock is intensified by the fact that I don't watch TV except for The Voice and that's all about the love. My news is gathered selectively. So my feelers are pretty untouched by outside influence.