Today, I don't really have a TON of time to write a long post or a list about the things I'm thankful for.
But, let me try to at least make a list. Because I am surrounded by blessings (even the ones that don't always feel very good) in my RL, I won't go into them here. Instead, I'll write about my SL blessings since that's what this blog's all about anyway.
1) I'm grateful that after a very, very hard year in RL, I have managed to become connected to an amazing, supportive, sprawling group of friends in SL who allow me to throw love and affection their way, and then throw it back at me.
2) I am grateful for two of the best friends in any world, Isadora and Camthan, who put up with me, chat with me, laugh with me and cry with me through anything.
3) I am indescribably grateful for my amazing partner Daman (or is that Eirik?), who is not only one of the finest people I've ever had the pleasure to get to know but who is also boundlessly supportive, who listens to me, who finds the patience to help make sure we're always understanding one another, and who keeps finding reasons to come back to SL day after day so our paths can continue to cross.
4) I'm grateful for Marx Dudek and her incessant desire to do more, be more, see more, build more, create more, offer more, give more, love more.
5) I'm grateful for the Lounge of Dreams and the opportunity to keep it running after our one year anniversary, providing a safe and fun place for everyone to be able to go and enjoy themselves without fear of judgment.
6) I'm grateful for the readers of this blog, although I think I'm probably down to like ... three or four now, since I haven't been writing much. You guys who occasionally comment or mention that you read something I wrote, you help me keep wanting to write. And with the year I'm about to have, reaching out - even through writing - is going to be a really big part of my routine. Or at least it's going to have to be, if I expect to not drive myself crazy. 
7) And, for all the pain in the ass it can be, I'm grateful for SL. Because I've always said, my SL is dynamic and amazing and creative and thrilling and spectacular and happy and melancholy and stimulating and relaxing and everything else, not because of the platform, the client, Linden Lab, the money, the sims, the rules, or anything else. It's all those things because of the people. And without SL, I would not have spent the last 18 months growing and being exposed to so many amazing souls. Even if they're souls I don't have the pleasure of seeing so often any more -- they've all impacted me and helped shape who I am. Many have inspired me, some have entertained, but all have contributed in their own way. I can only hope I've given back a fraction of what you've all given me.
This holiday season, hold your loved ones (RL or SL) close and tell them what they mean to you. Make sure they know. Never, ever hold back your praise, your friendship, your awe, your pride, your affection, for those who make your SL what it is day in and day out.
Give them all the gift of yourself. Of yourself, of your heart, of your time. The gift of you.
I am grateful today, and every day, for the gift of self the amazing individuals who have touched me in this virtual world, have given and continue to give.
So thank you.
