I was angry this morning because I woke up after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade had started. My boyfriend laughed at me as I watched, entranced by the Rockettes, Little Mermaid the Musical and David Archuletta. I can't explain why I love the parade so much. I can only recognize that it has been part of my Thanksgiving day as long as I can possibly remember. Simply put, it's a tradition, and I love traditions.

I often wonder about our Thanksgiving tradition. Our nation puts aside this day, every year to honor the Pilgrims who broke bread with the Native Americans. Why exactly do we celebrate a people that would conquer the Native Americans and steal their land? Why do we toast our glasses to oppression ?

Yet, I never hear cries of " Yay colonization!" while the men are watching the football games. I don't hear whispers of " I wonder what those poor Native Americans are doing on the reservation today" from the women in the kitchen. I hear laughter, smell amazing food and witness hugs, handshakes and family bonding. Thanksgiving no longer honors the Pilgrims, it honors the family. For that, I am extremely thankful.

My grandfather, who passed almost nine years ago, used to go around the table and ask each of the grandchildren what they were thankful for. I always found it an uncomfortable experience. I was always searching for something profound to say and always felt as if I never responded the "right" way. These days, I miss my grandfather, and that tradition of his. My heart swells with things to be thankful for. I'm not sure there would be enough time between dinner and dessert to rattle of my laundry list of gratitude.

I miss both of my grandparents. I feel as if I took them for granted in my youth. I remember how much I wanted to talk to my grandfather after September 11th because I feel that he could somehow make some sense of it. However, it isn't just the hard times that I miss them, its the wonderful times as well. The weddings, graduations, christenings etc. In addition, I know how happy they both would have been to see Barack Obama elected as I learned as much about politics and open-mindedness from them, as I did my parents.

Therefore papa, for you I'm going to tell the world ( aka my readers) what I'm thankful for this year. As always, my wonderful family both immediate and extended, my amazing boyfriend and his lovely family, my friends, my job, my creature comforts. And, this year, I'm going to throw in that I'm thankful that a nation, born of oppression, has elected one of it's oppressed to lead it.

We are building new traditions, both individually and as a nation. We are on a path to unity and greatness. I can't think of a better reason to give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I hope that you all have a wonderful day!
( P.S. I am thankful, everyday, that you chose to read my little rants, it keeps my fire going!)