I always told myself to never post full songs on here, but let’s be fair here… it’s Thanksgiving, and while usually I’m especially mushy at Christmastime, this year…

Well, this year, there is the honest feeling of being thankful.

What is it about loss or the possibility of loss that makes us take advantage of the holiday of Thanksgiving? Or the general ‘idea’ behind it, for those who perhaps do not celebrate the day. In all honesty, it’s a shame if you do not, simply put, it’s a day we should not just cram down pies. (even though, lord knows, I do enjoy me some pie. Some fine, delicious pie. Mmm. Pie. ) Every ‘turkey’ day, I gather with my friends and family and feast, and while some guys watch football, I watch whatever else or play board games and have fascinating conversations with my family. But do I sit back and really reflect and say how thankful I am?

I would not. The idea was there, I knew “I would…” and then the day was over and I had forgotten due to being full on turkey and mashed potatoes. It was “a missed oppurtunity” on how thankful I am.

Sometimes I think we all do that. We say we are thankful, but… we keep putting it off to say it… and really mean it. Not just in passing, but a full on deep and passionate “I’m thankful.”

How does this all relate? Well, as I was saying earlier, while I was drawing this strip, with no clear intention of posting music, I was doing my usual ‘jamming to music on shuffle’ and that is when this song came up, and suddenly it really felt ‘right’.

This year I have lost two relatives. One lived, in my opinion, a very full, very long and I feel, happy life. The other was someone who I felt, had much more to give, but… and pardon for those who don’t believe in a higher power, as I do, but… well, it was just her time to go and it didn’t feel fair. At one particular funeral for this family member, as we, we being my parents and I, were walking to our car, one person, came up and hugged my father and said, tearfully, “You know, I know we do not see each other that often… but I want you to know, that just because there is distance between our houses, I think about you, I love you guys… ”

-and there it was.

Something so beyond simple but we take that for granted…

And with this song, a wave of emotions came to me, and it reminded of a poem very near and dear to my heart…

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
For with all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

My, my, my, it IS a beautiful world.

For my friends, my family, for those who I do not see, for those who I do not talk to often, and to those who I have never met personally but read this comic, I love you all, I wish you a wonderful and safe holiday, and I’m thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

–Jason