Thanks

This is a very personal entry today, not written for any consideration of mass consumption, just simply a need to articulate certain truths I've felt for a very long time. Hope you don't choke on the corn.

Here it is, I offer you today's blog entry:

It's not thanksgiving, not that I celebrate the silly thing anyway, but I just suddenly came to a realisation that I really have to and WANT to give thanks to every single person that's made a contribution to my life, a life made absolutely wonderful because of their inclusion in it, because they've been the happiness and joy I've experienced, they were the lessons that I've learnt, they've made me strong, made me smile, made me angry and just simply made me the person that I am today.

Everyone should do this! Just look back at life and count your blessings. If you are reading this, it means you have access to a computer, the internet, the means and facilities are there at your disposal, that you are not society's forgotten people, that you can reach out and touch someone and have somebody to touch you back, that you have life and that my friend is reason enough to live it and be thankful.

To my longest and dearest friend Mel, who I've known the presence of for 19 years, but known really as a friend for only 15 years (cause we weren't friends before Year 10), though we may be thoroughly different people I love and appreciate you till eternity. Your beauty both inner and out, is just like the endless opal skies at summer's dusk; warm yet unassuming, your colours muted but absolutely mesmorising. And everlasting. Thank you for your friendship.

To my wonderful brother, whom I often regard as my third parent, it is your unwavering care and solemn nurture that I constantly look to and depend upon. You are a true gentleman and a big brother to be proud of. Thank you for your love.

To all of my past relationships, I thank you all for the role you've played at every stage of my life so far. I cringe, I cry, I stir at the moments you've given me. Everything has been bitter sweet yet I wouldn't change a thing because every moment has given me a new page in every chapter. Thank you for the exercise in emotions!

To every person I've met on my travels, those that were also in motion, thank you for making me feel like I belonged. Ours is a community that knows no boundaries, physical, geological, emotional, financial, sociological and any other "cals" you can think of. It is people like you that makes the world great, to carry good and decent stories and share them with your fellow man. Thank you for your intrepid spirits!

To every person I've met on my travels, those that were on home turf, I thank you for your generosity, your kindness, your openess and your benign nature. To receive me into your homes and your hearts, shows your genuine love for others. Could a stranger ask for more? Thank you.

To all my friends, both long and short term acquaintances, I can look at you and see moments in my life where you've made your mark. Those marks are marks of honour in my book of great deeds. You've shaped my existence, by either being there for me or by you needing me. It is the greatest gift of friendship I believe, the gift of trust and each of you have yet to fail me. Instead you grow more and more important to me everyday. Thank you for your soulful being, your intellect and your laughter.

There are only two people in this world that I want give my greatest thanks to. (it's not Mr and Mrs Claus). They are the embodiment of love in my universe. For in every action, every thought and every word, they give themselves to me selflessly and without expectations (well maybe some but nothing too ridiculous). As I grow older it becomes clearer and clearer to me how hard a life a parent's must be. The sacrifices you make, the ridicules you receive. It is a life long task that unquestionably take its toll, by its endless tearing of self-esteem and constant battle with common sense. For almost 40 years this couple has been a stalwart for their children, maintained a good relationship with one another, remained forever strong as people and been a guiding light that I still find hard to do without at times. They are the best people I know, the best parents one could ever have and I am honoured and grateful for them, and most definitely proud of them. I love them above all else. To my mum and dad, both heroes in my eyes, I thank you only as a daughter knows how. I thank you, I thank you, I thank you.