Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for family, friendships and all the many blessings in our lives. When I look at everything that is happening in the world — mass shootings, genocide, the hate people have for others, countries besieged by civil wars — I am grateful for my country, my freedom, and all the wonderful people in my life.
As we celebrated Thanksgiving here in Canada yesterday, I watched as my partner's family imploded. An offhand comment led to a shouting match, accusations from years of pent-up emotions and tears. One person stormed out of the house vowing never to return. A son ruthlessly and repeatedly disrespected his mother … in her home. A cousin tried to play mediator. I intervened long enough to defend my partner when he came under attack, then walked away. I wouldn't let myself be dragged any further into family issues that existed long before I'd met my partner. Let's forget about who's right and who's wrong; in this situation, there is fault on all sides.
Yesterday's events made me sad and, in many ways, demonstrated just how cruel we can be to each other. Yet they were a reminder of the fact that we have the power to create the world we want to live in. We can choose to be nasty and mean to each other, or we can choose a path to reconciliation and forgiveness. We can choose to stomp on each other, or we can choose to build each other up. We can choose to let love triumph over hate.
Amidst the craziness of this world, we need more love, more kindness, more humanity. Let us choose to love one another and build each other up.