Thanksgiving: Thanks for Giving and Would You Please Give It Again?

Posted on November 12, 2012

In an effort for me to understand just what I should be thankful for during the holiday today, I decided to look up the word Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, all the books in the flat are either IT manuals or they’re written in half English, half Cantonese. So, I broke it down like any author worth his or her salt would to “thanks” and “giving.” Or “thanks for giving,” which is what I say to my husband when he visits. And that’s typically followed by a “Would you please give again?” And that’s typically followed by “What do you mean you’re too tired? I work, too. I cook for you. I clean for you. You’re telling me you can’t give a little more? It’s not like you do the work. You may be the top, but all you do is lay there while I do all the moving around and heavy lifting. Why are you giggling? Are you making a fat joke? Seriously? This is solid. There just happens to be more of it than you might find on someone…er…thinner.” And that’s about the time I realize he’s not going to be ‘giving’ me anything else that evening.

So what else am I thankful for?

Family is a given, but I’m thankful that my grandmother and I have started talking again this year after 16 years of silence. I’m also glad my husband’s Hong Kong Grandmother still refuses shell out enough money to hire a decent assassin to take me out once and for all. She may if she ever finds out I married her pride and joy. Oh, yes. I’m thankful I legally married my husband. He deserves me and all the joy and happiness I perceive to bring him. I’m thankful for my father-in-law-who-doesn’t-know-he’s-my-father-in-law, especially because he’s been very good to my father. It’s not easy and most people would tend to shy away from dealing with some of the complications Alzheimer’s introduces in social situations.

I’m grateful to the legal system. Without it, I’d never be able to keep fellow author Patricia Logan at bay with multiple restraining orders. This segues into other colorful friends. My life is better for the number of people I’ve met this year and friendships that have continued from previous years. The following list only scratches the surface, is in no particular order, and I’m sure I’m going to leave a huge number of people out, but for the sake of room; G.A. Hauser, T.C. Blue, Kiernan Kelley, J.P. Barnaby, Dorien Grey, Moxie Anne Magnus, Katy Trick, Jane Smith, Eden Winters, CR Guilaiano, Sue Brown, Tom Webb, Jay Taylor, Michael Sturm, Joey Boiser, Susan Raymon, Theresa Taylor-Stirling, Patty Guerrieri, Nam Vu, Eric Singasong, and… Well, this is where the list gets really long. The rest of you know who you are. Or you can pretend you do. Or you can ask. I might tell you.

But, really, those restraining orders are SO helpful, especially around Raggedy Ann hair-colored psychotic authorettes.

On a serious note, I’ll take a moment here and let all of the Face of Gay contributors know how grateful I am that they’ve shared their stories, as well as all the readers who’ve shared their comments with them. You’ve all given it a life of its own that’s bigger than anything I’d hoped for. It’s bigger than me–and no, I’m no making a weight joke here–and it feels good to know that I had a hand in helping create something that’s moved us all. It’s brought us closer together as a community of people and human beings, not just as folks who are either straight or gay.

Finally, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’m going to have in the coming years and people who I’ll be meeting along the way. You’re about to make my future worth the journey and I hope I can make it worth yours, too.

A heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving to you, your loved ones, the ones who annoy you but you love anyway, and your families!

Now where’s my husband? It’s time he gave up a little thanks himself…

Kris

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Kristoffer Gair (who formerly wrote under the pseudonym Kage Alan) is the Detroit-based author of Honor Unbound, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To My Sexual Orientation, Andy Stevenson Vs. The Lord Of The Loins, Gaylias: Operation Thunderspell, several short stories featured in anthologies (to be combined in a forthcoming book), the recently re-published novella Falling Awake, its sequel, Falling Awake II: Revenant and Falling Awake III: Requiem.

18 Responses to “Thanksgiving: Thanks for Giving and Would You Please Give It Again?”

Dorien says:
November 22, 2012 at 8:55 am
And we, your readers, are thankful that you decided to become a writer rather than an astrophysicist or profesional party planner.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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Kris says:
November 22, 2012 at 8:59 am
And to think you made the list…

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Eden Winters says:
November 22, 2012 at 9:42 am
I’m totally humbled and impressed by your post. All I posted on my blog is a graphic I grabbed off a site I googled and “Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!”

Whoot! I made your list! Well, you made mine, too. And I’m very grateful for your “Faces of Gay” posts and for the Hong Kong Grandmother ones, as well. Folks wonder why I’m staring at my phone snickering on breaks while reading one of your posts or some amusing tidbit from Facebook.

You’ve started my day with a smile. (And a few giggles)

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Kris says:
November 22, 2012 at 10:21 am
I know good people when I meet them. =)

And I’m very glad you get a kick out of the posts. With a little luck, I’ll be going to Hong Kong with the hubby for the Chinese New Year again. There should be a couple of good Grandmother stories to share after that visit.

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CR Guiliano says:
November 22, 2012 at 9:51 am
*sniff* Dang it Kris, you made me tear up. Never been on that kind of list before. <3 So sweet. I sincerely hope that hubby of yours pins you down and gives you enough thanks that you will be feeling it for days. *grins* How’s that for a Thanksgiving wish for a friend?

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Kris says:
November 22, 2012 at 10:23 am
You’ll be the third to know if he does! heh heh heh And it’s a perfect wish, Carah. Thank you. =)

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Patty Guerrieri says:
November 22, 2012 at 10:44 am
Aww, I’m touched. We are thankful for you as well. Tell Dad to be as loud and obnoxious as he wants today. That’s what family holidays are for. And that’s what makes them worth laughing about in the coming years!

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Kris says:
November 22, 2012 at 11:23 am
Nooooo, he can’t. lol I don’t want a screaming mother here today, thank you.

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Kiernan Kelly says:
November 22, 2012 at 10:45 am
What a lovely post! I am smiling ear to ear. Of course, that could be the mood stabilizers, but I choose to believe otherwise. Snort.

Seriously, Kris, I know my life is considerably richer with you in it, and I’m thankful for your friendship as well! *hugs*

*end mushy sentimental crap*

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Kris says:
November 22, 2012 at 11:24 am
Eh, it’s the holiday. We’re allowed to be mushy. Hugs!

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Ken Murphy says:
November 22, 2012 at 11:00 am
Um, hello…That comment “Raggedy Ann hair-colored psychotic authorettes” is hitting a little below the belt, Bud. Still, I going to pretend you were NOT talking about me. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I hope you get enough stuffing to last you at least a week. Thanks for being my friend.

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Kris says:
November 22, 2012 at 11:24 am
One can never hit below the belt when talking about Patti Logan, Ken. She doesn’t wear belts. =)

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Katherine T. says:
November 22, 2012 at 12:55 pm
You, my friend, are the sweetest person I’ve come acroas in a long time (I’ll keep it a secret, though, so we don’t ruin your reputation). I am more than honored to have made your list.
Thanks for reminding us all that there is alway something to be grateful for, even if it is as simple as friendships ( which, in reality is a very big thing). Enjoy your time with your family and the love of your life. It is a wonderful gift. HUGS!

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Sharita Lira says:
November 22, 2012 at 1:06 pm
LOL I love your posts Kris! You make me smile! Hugs to you and happy gobble gobble day to you and yours!

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Jeff says:
November 22, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Hope your thanksgiving was full of peace and love. Give the Pookster a big kiss for me.

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GA Hauser says:
November 22, 2012 at 9:45 pm
aw shucks, thanks sweetie. I thought you’d put me on the naughty list for introducing you to Logan…guess I’m forgiven. 😉 hope your day was a wonderful one….

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Patricia Logan says:
November 23, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Oh God! Where is my insulin??? I’m so glad I waited until Friday to log on and read all this marshmallow covered, candy cane goodness floating in a sea of melted gumdrops because now I have a real reason to throw up rather than the usual bulima on Thanksgiving. LOL!

Kris, once again is surrounded by his flock of friends and a lov-e-ly group we are. I will not say I am honored to know you because that holds a special meaning in the culture that you share a roof with. Instead, I will just say, that I love your daily dose of sarcasm and just love responding with my own special brand of snarky.

You are a rare treat my friend and though I hurl all the way through your posts about being a greedy bottom feeder… I mean bottom boy, you brighten my otherwise dull life.

Kisses, Raggedy

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J. P. Barnaby says:
November 24, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Now that is one list I’m proud to be on this year. I’m thankful for you too, darlin’. You brighten my day. <3