Thanksgiving and Thanks Giving

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

It's Thanksgiving week here in the US and as I gear up for family to arrive (and stay with me and my boyfriend for a few days...gulp!), I'm trying to find a few moments to remember what I am most thankful for. There are many things, and yet they seem to get so easily lost in the crazy day-to-day that I need to be better about remembering them. A few things stick out to me most:

One of the ones that lately has felt incredibly frustrating is my job. My university is doing some stupid crap because we're out of money (thank you to state governments that don't value education at all, grrrr!). This has honestly set a pall over the whole campus. Faculty are upset, staff are leaving, and generally everyone's just angry and scared. I hate it. The thing is, I adore my job. My students are fantastic! The photo on the left is from one of my grad seminars, right before my students busted out a game of Clue they'd completely revamped to be all about forensic genetics and how to solve a crime (I swear they're missing their calling as board game creators!). Anyhow, I love teaching, and my research is awesome. I wish I could focus on being better at those things, and doing what I do best instead of the stupid stuff the University of Montana seems to think they need to do to us all, but alas... But, in the end, I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach and be an educator and scientist. There is no other job I'd rather have and it really is the best one on the planet!

I am also incredibly grateful for my two little fur-children :) They are a handful at times, but waking up in the morning with the two of them nestled into me and just wanting loves is the best thing ever. And they're just adorable!

I am also super grateful for my wonderful writing buddies. The ones who I can chat with via email, or in person, for ages about books and other worlds, and how to craft the perfect character. They're also there for me when I struggle with rejections and other aspects of writing that can be less fun, and help set me back up on my feet. Thanks, ladies--you are the BEST! (And hopefully all know who you are ;)

Last, but most certainly not least, I'm incredibly grateful for my boyfriend. The past year has taught me so many things about being in a kind and loving relationship that's about being your best self. I feel rather old to be learning these lessons, but am so grateful for finding the kind of person who stands by me and helps me to see the world in a much brighter light.

And of course, I am grateful for my readers! So, what about you? What are you grateful for? And what are your plans for Thanksgiving?