So Much to be Thankful For
The way I figure, the holiday season starts November 1 and extends until January 2 (or whenever I darn well want to stop listening to holiday music). But this week is about celebrating the gifts life has brought our way and dwelling in gratitude. To that end, we at AEC have rounded up a few things for which we are grateful.
EMILY’s list
Nope, still not over the midterms. This week’s episode of the Hysteria podcast talked specifically about EMILY’s list – if you put money into something, that’s where your future lies. It’s no wonder, then, that the future of politics (at every level) includes more women, more LGBTQ people, more people of color, and more people concerned with common sense gun laws, climate change, and education. We could not be more grateful that this particular funding stream identified and supported so many of the candidates we’ll see sworn in very soon.
The kids,
who remind us why this work is important, why representation matters, and who always tell us the truth
Pecan pie cookies
Make them. Eat them. Share them. You’ll be giving thanks, too.
Women-centric traditions
The next few weeks are full of sweet rituals that remind us of the women in our lives and all that we’ve learned from them. On Thanksgiving eve, I always make pumpkin pies with my mom. On Black Friday, you can keep your shopping. Mom and I get up before the rest of the family and have coffee, leftover pie, and catch up. Mid-December brings the 5th annual friends’ trip to the Nutcracker and hot-chocolate-and-ornament-making parties with some of the youngest ladies in our lives. We see not only visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads, but visions of women who continue to celebrate and support each other. If it comes with pointe shoes, orchestral music, and sparkles, we love that too.
The chain of women
This phrase emerged at the funeral of a dear friend’s mother a few years ago. One of the mother’s friends talked about the “chain of women” who had been instrumental to her success and growth. Many of the points above point to the ongoing chain that we have now become for each other and look to for our best advice and deepest friendships. If you’ve started Michelle Obama’s new book, you may have seen something similar in her dedication. May the chain be unbroken.
You
Thank you for reading and supporting us as we’ve built AEC this year. We can’t wait to show you what 2019 has in store and we hope you’ll join us.
If you want to hear more about how we’re thinking of gratitude, check out the new book called Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass. She postulates that “Gratitude is a practical way of speaking about joy” which provides resources for hope, even in dark times. May this week bring you light, joy, and hope even if the days are dark.
- Lauren