Here is the big question, what nickname do you give Thanksgiving if you don’t eat turkey? Turkey Day has a special ring to it, but for the last 5 minutes I have been contemplating alternatives for the non-carnivorous among us. In the end, whatever name you give it, the meaning still stands the same. Individuals typically joining family and friends to collectively give thanks to all of the things that they value in life. In fact for many it is the one day out of the year when reflection is allowed. Okay maybe that statement is a bit of a stretch but I feel it’s true that too many of us (including myself) get caught up in the monotony of our daily routines and the tasks at hand. We become consumed at times by the material things that we find comfort in and fail to recognize the immeasurable contributions of our loved ones. At times we neglect to give credit to those who deserve it the most, even if it means ourselves.

On this day last year, I was sleeping on a park bench. That’s right! I wasn’t homeless or starved for attention but I was alone, reflecting on the things in my life that had brought me joy up to that moment. Perhaps people walking by me on the streets of San Juan thought I truly was a vagabond. If this is what they guessed, they would have been gravely mistaken, for this was MY version of Thanksgiving in 2005. I was a young man who traveled to the island where his family was from to reflect and grow spiritually. That day I decided to take a book and read on a park bench but my mind quickly began to wonder and eventually I found myself just lying on the bench wondering what my family was having for dinner.

I honestly feel it is important for humans to spend time alone once in a while to further development a strong sense of self. However, sense of self for me includes acknowledging the importance of family. On that sunny Puerto Rico day, I probably re-lived every Thanksgiving I could remember over and over in my head. That day made me truly grateful for the friendships and love I am fortunate to have to this day.

However, this year marked a new beginning. A new start with a new branch of the Jordan family. Felicia and I are now married and the honeymoon is over (although we’ll be playing out this newlywed thing for a while I’m sure). We are now the nucleus of our own family and today we prepared our version of a Thanksgiving feast as we gave thanks vocally and internally. I am thankful that I am healthy and of keen mind. I am thankful to have food on the table and a roof over my head. I am thankful for being blessed with reason and a free spirit. Lastly, I am thankful that my day on a park bench was by choice and not due to a lack of love and support from family and an extended network of friends.