The Twisted Gypsy

It was a very different Thanksgiving this year for many reasons: loved ones have passed, things have changed, time has played its role just as it always does. I spent the holiday in Chicago with my brother, Alison, her parents and my parents. We decided not to cook and Al ordered a big meal for us to just pick up and heat. This left more time for playing games, eating, napping, eating, going downtown to the Christmas market, eating and eating.

I have been thinking a lot lately about what traditions mean and how they are kept. The older I get, the more apparent it becomes that the most important traditions are simply with people themselves and not with events or places or times or holidays.

Dialogue while trying to decide whether or not to make the trek to downtown Chicago to the Thanksgiving Day Parade:

Me- “Come on, throw on a hat and some warm clothes and we will leave in 15 minutes”

Mom- “You make me some coffee…and then…umm…YOU can leave in 15 minutes.”

Me- “Meaning, you aren’t coming with me?”

Mom-”Hmm…what about that coffee?”

Sal- “Now how many of us would have to go with you to make your Thanksgiving experience a success?”

Me- “What do you mean?”

Sal- “Well, lets say…umm…only one of us went…or umm…none of us?”

Result? We did not go to the Thanksgiving Day parade. I got over it.

…for falling and getting back up again.
…for fall.
…for summer skin.
…for winter scarves.
…for a home for the holidays.
…for family, the one born into and the one made.
…for small towns.
…for big orange cats.
…for possibilities.
…for understanding.
…for forgiveness.
…for knowledge.
…for creativity.
…for technology.
…for city life.
…for roots.
…for faith.
…for mothers.
…for crossroads.
…for paths crossing.
…for random messages.
…for belief in an idea.
…for abstractness.
…for miracles.
…for mistakes.
…for rebirth.
…for music.
…for moments.
…for glances.
…for discoveries.
…for rediscovery.
…for letting go of judgement.
…for living in the moment.
…for looking toward future.
…for embracing the past.
…for leaping.
…for knowing.
…for going.
…for life.

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Arrived back in Chi-town late last night. Traveled all day with my parents and Al’s parents. They are a hoot.
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Airports might be the most dramatic place in the world= Oh-so-happy and oh-so-sad.
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Slept under my brother’s “Empire Strikes Back” blanket. It is from 1980 and is totally awesome.
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If change is the only constant in the world then one must get ready for a lot of change.
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The NAMM Foundation ( http://www.nammfoundation.org/ ), a non-
profit organization dedicated to advancing active participation
in music making by people of all ages, has announced its 2008
Request for Proposals initiative.

The foundation is accepting proposals for the following five
initiatives:

Disney’s High School Musical: The Music in You Grant Program
will award ten public middle and high schools a grant of $5,000
each and license to put on their own school stage production of
Disney’s “High School Musical.” (Deadline: November 30, 2007.)
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Thieving monkeys? click here
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Nothing like lyrics from a 1980’s hit show to put it all into persepective:

Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn’t you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.

You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.