Another View - Thanksgiving 2009 in Eureka Springs

I have been leery of celebrating the traditional Thanksgiving since a party in San Francisco where too much drinking and too much turkey resulted in fighting and unhappiness. Karma. I used to fast on the holiday. I swore to never again celebrate a holiday that honored white settlers who lied, stole, cheated and killed the indigenous peoples who helped them in this land.

However: "If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself." -- a member of the Minquass nation.

So.

I am thankful for all our trees even if I have to rake up some fallen leaves. Mulch and compost. I am thankful for delicious water and hope we bring the springs back. I am thankful for knowing the people of Eureka. My life is much richer and full because of you. Even with some painful times when I felt the right wing discriminated against us gay people. I did not know then that I was learning valuable understandings.

Thank you, Eureka, for being beautiful. I appreciate our firefighters, the Parks Department and Public Works.

What other small town has a Free Clinic, a Free Food Bank and an Animal Shelter and Thrift Store?

I love the shows that come to town and "The Aud" folks. The special events, especially Diversity Pride. We are fortunate to have an open-minded weekly newspaper. Sometimes, I even appreciate the City Council and commissions. I like the soft wind; also, the stormy winds. Winter ice, yes. My life has been full of interesting events and quirky people.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

So.

I celebrate living in Eureka, our many kinds of love, our community spirit, artists and musicians. Even our grumps. We all make life fascinating. Thank you for being. I will eat cornbread dressing and drink a

Martinelli's sparkling apple juice toast to all of us. I give thanks to the Great Spirits the Native Americans told me about. And I give thanks for our lively spirits here in Eureka.