Out In Town

Thanksgiving: Gracias!

My parents, brothers, uncles, aunts, cousins and my grandmother have gathered once again to observe this holiday. This is not a Mexican holiday. However, since we’ve arrived to the United States we have taken on this very thoughtful tradition. And it is not a difficult tradition to adopt. It is not like foreign countries do not know how to be grateful for what they have received.

In my own personal case the celebrations started last night. The company I work for is in the retail business. So, beginning tomorrow the shopping season will be in full motion leaving no room for a holiday party in December. It is anticipated that consumers will drop 5% more cash than last year’s holiday season. We’ll see what these 5% mean for the gift boxes with my name under my Christmas tree. After the holiday party, well actually during the middle of it, a couple of friends and I took off and went to Hollywood. We had planned to go to Circus and have a good night of dancing. However, one of my friends forgot his ID and we could not get in. So, we just headed to West Hollywood and strolled on the strip. We got into a bar and then afterwards we just ended up at IHOP getting some grub and got back around 3:30 AM.

Family, friends, dancing, drinks and turkey ... definitely good ingredients for a celebration. But, what am I grateful for? Among all these ingredients, I don’t want to miss the point of the holiday. Despite the recent cloudy days here in LA, or maybe I should say because of these very cloudy days here in LA that now help us sit down and reflect for a moment. No sunny days out on the beach or parks and no warm evenings at rooftop bars. The perfect timing to stay home and then covered with a blanket and drinking some hot chocolate meditate on one’s life. I’m grateful, extremely, for God in my life. It is obvious to me that he has not given up on me. In fact, I’d say he continues to root for me. It’s been a great temptation to just forget about any and all the links that I have with religion. However, I understand, now more than ever, that I can’t and shouldn’t. I pray that he continues to put people after his own heart on my path to learn more about him. In this gay life of mine, I need God just as much as before.

I’m also very grateful for my family; my very loving and understanding family that God has given me. I have put them through hell these past couple of months and they have all stuck with me. I love them so much. I’m also grateful for my friends. They make my days much lighter and enjoyable. In this world with very few time for the small and important things is really hard to find true friends, thus I treasure the ones I’ve got. I’m grateful for the opportunity to go to school and for the job that pays my bills. I’m grateful for life. It has not cheated me. It has given me my fair share of tears and laughs. Thus all I can say, from the bottom of my heart, is: Gracias.

posted by Guerrero Azteca @ 8:56 PM