Owens Cross Roads, Alabama. Long before Owen’s claimed his crossroads, the Land I live on was stewarded by the Shawandasse Tula, the S’atsoyaha Yuchi and the Cherokee.
We just got through another Thanksgiving an American holiday built on domination and patriarchy. Several years ago, I became vegetarian, but my adult son’s boss bought all his employees turkeys. An estimated 46 million turkeys give up their life every year so that we can celebrate our heritage as Pilgrims.
I cooked the turkey so that this one would not have given up its life in vain. I will make sure that my children who are still carnivores enjoy.
I am grateful for the many animals who every day give up their lives so that we may live.
I slept most of the weekend. I have a new full time contract starting in a week or two. In the military industrial complex town that I find myself living in, this job is not military based and is perfect for me. I feel a huge sense of relief.
I am grateful I will not have to spend my days doing work that goes against my soul.
Last night, I hosted a Circle. It’s theme was on becoming a crone.
There is an old woman I am beginning to know
Out of the darkness and into the cave, I go
Death to me, the mother
Death to me, the girl
Honor to me, the wise old crone
Here to lead the world
-Crone’s Chant, In Her Name
My partner points out how our culture dismisses things as just ‘old wives’ tales’.
It is time that we give honor to our old wives’ tales.
There was only one other person who came to the Circle. But I don’t mind. It was wonderful. We discussed how our culture has made it a sign of status to have a big home: a big home that you then isolate yourself in, burying your human need for other humans in 24/7 Netflix, sugar, addictions, social media and our children’s planned expensive activities.
How many of us regularly have friends drop by and we spend the night talking and laughing without drugs or alcohol? How many of us still have children who go outside and play rather than sit with their nose in a smartphone?
I am grateful that I am building a life where I have close friends I can spend time with sober: laughing, singing, crying and being vulnerable.
It is a never ending battle, but I am glad I am fighting the good fight in showing my kids it is still the small real life pleasures that matter in life not group texts and video games.
I am bombarded in my inbox by Cyber Monday deals, Giving Tuesday. Enough, I cry! Back Off Wednesday.
I am no longer grateful for the things our culture wants us to be grateful for: Black Friday deals, large homes, my kids affording Lululemon clothes, the prevalence and implied superiority of our white Christian culture in most parts of the world.
But I am ever so grateful for the things I am slowly replacing them with.
