Friends, joy, gratitude and transition

Rev Kane with some of his chosen family on Thanksgiving

Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what. ~ Unkown

Originally published, November 2014

So as many of you know I’m in significant life transition right now. Tonight I wanted to take a few minutes to lay out the last week of my life, what I’m grateful for and some of the struggles those close to me are having. In the last week I have finalized the sale of and move out from my home, traveled to Las Vegas for three days for Thanksgiving and moved into a friend’s house. It has been a whirlwind, up late three nights moving and cleaning only to hit Las Vegas and be up late three nights having fun. Not surprising I woke up in the throes of a cold this morning, my body’s way of saying time to rest.

I’m grateful I sold my house to a good friend, someone who will appreciate that home as much as I did. I’m grateful for the chosen family I got to spend Thanksgiving with, there is something about being with people who have known you for decades that is quite special, particularly when their partners are every bit as fabulous as they are. To celebrate Thanksgiving with them, and to get to play with them in Las Vegas for a couple of days was truly wonderful.

Returning to my new temporary home and a gathering of work friends, a lovely little bon voyage was wonderful. These friends have not known me for decades but I feel like some of them certainly will. I’m especially grateful to my friend Steve who has opened his home to me as I wrap up work and transition out of my current life, a supreme act of kindness and friendship.

So I have a lot to be thankful for, my impending journey is scary and wonderful and I can’t wait to begin. But it seems that the universe craves balance in all things. Simultaneously my granny is struggling with pneumonia in the hospital and two friends are struggling in their marriages. So as much as I’m grateful for in my life, I’m also trying to be there for them and give as much as I’m lucky to get from this life.

So friends, tonight I ask you to pause and reflect on the good things and also reach out a hand to those who may be struggling a bit. This time of year the world is especially hard for some folks, so reach out and give a little extra warmth and both give and have, a happy day ~ Rev Kane