This morning is made of the greyest of clouds. Blue-grey, brown-grey, green-grey. Snow clouds. It feels a million miles from the flowery front porch enjoyed this summer, but that doesn’t mean these clouds are “dark” or “sad.” Humans imbue these colors with meaning. Grey gets the short end of the stick. Grey is a redhead’s best friend, the best color for horses and chickens, and the best color for a sky to think under; it is the opposite of depressing. I can see how seasonal depression has made grey the bad guy but it doesn’t deserve it.
It’s Thanksgiving in America which I do not celebrate. Especially not this year. Death, colonialism, and genocide are not things to rally around. Those things do not have a home in my heart and never will. My saying this is not a judgement on how anyone else spends their holiday. I understand that it’s one of the only times of the year businesses are closed en masse and people might get to see their families which is something to be happy about (depending on your family, haha!) and I hope that if you are lucking enough to be with your family and friends or just taking a quiet day to yourself, that you are feeling peace and sending your inner goodness and light out into the world which is starving for it. Starving. I can’t pretend…
If you are not a fan of grey, I understand. Here is some light! One of the best things you can do on Thanksgiving (or any holiday season, or even weekly!) if you aren’t inclined to participate in the usual feasting, is to volunteer with Meals on Wheels. I love this organization and have had some of the best conversations and afternoons with seniors who are homebound, or just plain lonely. If you can’t volunteer (which really is extraordinary) you can donate as well. People need food, but more than that people need people. Go out of your comfort zone and amaze yourself. I love you and I want us all to feel the bright connection of human love and warmth. XO
Sweet fan art by Bill
There are so many beautiful shades of grey. Grey reminds me of mixing paint with preschoolers, who, with no effort, always turn the drab, dark, and weird, into museful magic. Looking forwad to grey skies to think under. Thank you for you.
I have always hated Thanksgiving (the phony reason for it, the food, the sports and parades on tv, being bombarded with ads for filling our planet with more trash that we'll buy and give to our loved ones in a month... yuck). So I opt out. I am doing laundry today. I love my family, but I will see them about 10 times in December, so I don't feel bad about taking a day for myself. But I don't begrudge anyone their love for the holiday, either, and I hope everyone gets to spend it the way they prefer.