thanksgiving & gratitude

Friends, how was your Thanksgiving?! I spent Thanksgiving with my family in Philadelphia and then went on our annual retreat in Maryland right next to the Chesapeake Bay. (In between, I went to my 5-year high school reunion, which is another crazy story of its own.) I'm thankful and grateful for a lot this year, so just wanted to share a short few.....

I'm grateful for this little blog and its amazing readers. The opportunity to have this creative outlet and share inspiration & conversation with new and old friends is a privilege. Thank you for your comments, tweets, and your wonderful blogs (I love reading them!). 

I'm grateful for my life; even with all its unexpected twists and turns, I am blessed beyond what I deserve. In a city where it's so hard to find community, I'm very thankful for my fellow creatives, friends from church, my wonderful roommate Abby, work friends, high school and college friends. So grateful for your love and patience. You are my kindred spirits, and bouts of loneliness or doubt never last for long because of you. 

In the same vein, I'm thankful for God for who He is: faithful, loving, compassionate, and always teaching me more about who He is and who I am. For my NYC home base church, Redeemer Presbyterian Church and for the privilege of co-leading a small group for the first time this year (at first nerve-wracking but now so fun!)

I'm grateful for my parents' and sister's acceptance of my dreams and encouraging me to take risks. Also so thankful for New York City for growing me professionally and personally since I was 18.... walking around New York is unlike any other experience in any other city. I'm grateful for a job that is challenging and rewarding every single day, and for Obama staying President for another 4 years. I'm grateful for all of you for your support and encouragement -- how could I ever list the many ways you've made my life infinitely better? Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving to you and yours!

(Photos: Beautiful graphic design by Lisa Congdon)