The significance of Thanksgiving continues to evolve for me as I get older. As a child, I was thankful I got days off from school. Today, as an adult, I am thankful for things that I heard adults be thankful for that sounded cliche, possibly boring, but ring truer as I age: A good life with a wonderful wife, a great place to live -- Jamaica Plain -- and good friends and family.
I'm thankful for Chris Helms, who started Jamaica Plain News and then asked me to come on as co-publisher/co-owner, co-lots of things. I am thankful for the readers of Jamaica Plain News -- you are all awesome, involved, communicative and participatory -- it truly is a great community to cover as a journalist.
I am thankful to live in such an accepting and diverse community, evidenced by many things, such as a recent sign in City Feed and Supply that says "Everyone is welcome."
I am thankful for the Arnold Arboretum -- it's a place of beauty, solace, science and goats.
A sunset atop Peters Hill in the Arnold Arboretum.
I am thankful for my full-time job at the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (I work on JP News on the side). I am thankful for a steady paycheck, as many people do not have that in their lives.
I am thankful for all the great food options in JP! Burgers at Grass Fed, pizza at Same Old Place, a place I can take my picky mother to -- Vee Vee, the Turkey Terrific at The Real Deal, the chicken and sweet plantains at Alex's Chimis, the steak and onions at El Oriental de Cuba, the ham and cheese croissant at Fiore's Bakery, the almond croissant at the Blue Frog Bakery and a lot more. Again, I'm thankful for the Arnold Arboretum, so I can walk off the calories from all the great food in JP! (I am not thankful for my slower metabolism as an adult that means I have to watch what I eat.)
I'm thankful for the MPSCA-Angell, an animal welfare organization that truly cares about animals of all sizes, whether they are furry, scaled, feathered or anything else.
I am thankful for our local politicians. I do not agree with everything they do or say, nor should I (because that's impossible), but I know as a journalist and, more importantly, as a resident that they will speak to me about any and all topics.
There are so many more things I am thankful for -- some silly or inane, serious, very personal, hopeful and wishful. I am just thankful and this Thanksgiving, I hope you are, too.