Thanks

This is the day for it. Not that we shouldn’t be thankful the other 364, but today, we’re forced. So, Morgan, I am thankful for you. you’re stoic, resolute, funny, caring, talented, forthright, capable, and a million other adjectives I admire. If I take you for granted sometimes, I’m sorry, but you make it easy, even when times are tough. I’m glad you’re my partner in love and in life.

Mom, you gave me life, which I appreciate, sure, but you also encourage and support me. You inspire and amaze me. You kept my spirits up during hard times, and you let me choose my own path in life, never demanding that I knuckle under to the status quo or to be anything other than my true self. Your steadfastness and creativity seem infinite, and you enjoy life more than anyone I know.

James, my brother, you show me the value of stability. Also diplomacy. I like to argue, and you sometimes drive me up the wall with your extreme measures to keep the peace, but we have more in common than we have differences. Grandad was right thirty years ago: despite an adversarial (sometimes mildly violent) relationship when we were little, we’ve become the best of friends as adults. Plus you like a lot of the same goofball humor I do, and having someone to laugh with over something no one else around finds funny is pretty great.

Family, you made it a priority to stick together, to appreciate differences, and to recognize that there is strength in diversity and in humility.

Friends, I love you and I need you. Friendship is what is most important to me in life, and I get attached and vulnerable. But the risk of being hurt sometimes is well worth it. You rock.

As for the rest? Music, books, the internets, urban centers, science, the British, Jon Stewart, office supplies, movies, guitars, iPhone, Matt Mahaffey, aircraft, comics, rain, sketch comedy, cooking, beer, animation, Duke Kahanamoku, California, beneficent bacteria, humanity.