I've got plenty to be thankful for

The number one thing I'll always be thankful for in life is my family.

For sweet memories of my dad, and family videos that have become sacred, and for his love of documenting life through photos.

For my mom, who played us to sleep with her piano, and who read to us for hours on end. Who teaches me about bone broth, and calls me to leave a thousand messages on my phone that I just can't delete.

For my incredible siblings who can make me cry at the drop of the hat, I love them so much. For the special relationships I have with all of them, and how life is so much better when we're all together. For the emails, Skype, phone calls, and hand-written letters that bridge the many miles between us across the globe. And especially for their goofiness.

For my uncle who is special and wonderful, loves his kids like no other, who doesn't judge me and my stuff, who loves everything crazy, and who's always there for me if I need to talk.

For my grandpa who has softened with age, and who has survived 25 years of cancer and 18 different chemotherapies, who says he loves me and has the cutest high pitch laugh you've ever heard.

For my dad's mom's side of the family that took me in for Thanksgiving one year while I was at college, and doused me with love and happy stories and memories of my dad. Years between seeing each other, but still family and still loved anyway.

For my rich German heritage, and my beautiful Oma who is a saint always and forever, who cooks the best food in the entire world, and who has always been a big part of my life. For the love of Germany I have because of her.

And now I'm crying.

Happy Thanksgiving!