As I lay here trying to sleep, I started thinking about my life - as I am often prone to do. In light of the fact that technically it is Thanksgiving, being nearly 1:30 AM, I started looking at the things that I have to be thankful for.

First, my family is healthy and safe - which in this time and place is something not to be taken lightly. Given that my spouse, two of my sons, and myself all suffered through Covid-19 in late March and early April, and that we are all doing fine now, I am very thankful for the fact that everyone is healthy.

We are all still employed, and I am lucky enough to work for a company that values me so much that they paid me to work out of my house while the company was effectively shut down for three months in the spring and summer. I was one of a handful of employees who were not furloughed. For an openly transgender woman, that is definitely something to be thankful for. Add in that I am paid very well, am treated even better, and even received a bonus this year in appreciation of my value to the company (plus a Christmas bonus last week), I am very thankful for that.

Something for which I give thanks every day, I still have a loving spouse and my three children even though I transitioned five years ago and have been living full time since then. I was certain that I had lost them all, and for a while I did - and life was not worth living, but as corny as it sounds love truly does conquer all.

I lost a lot of friends, but the ones I kept are the ones who truly care about me. And I have made many more since transitioning. For them I am very thankful. They help to make up for the many family members which I lost. The old saying about friends and family is true - you can pick your friends; you are stuck with your family.

And lastly, I am eternally thankful for those friends and comrades who kept me safe over the years. To those of you who are gone, I miss you dearly - but I know we will meet again some day. Save me a seat at the O-club; I’ll be along for that dance I promised you all soon enough. Just not yet.........

Please remember those who you are thankful for on this day, and to all of my friends here on BCTS, thank you for being there when I needed you most. I will be thinking of you this day, and every day. I love you all more than you will ever know.

Absent comrades.