Thanksgiving Thanks

This past weekend as we celebrated life and all that we are thankful for, I was reminded to be thankful for things that I take for granted on a daily basis.

Watching the Mumbai scenes on TV and reading the accounts of witnesses, it was like watching the scenes from 9/11 or from a movie. There are no words to describe the shock and utter sadness of the events. It was a senseless crime done for reasons beyond my comprehension.

The news media have associated the events to a group called Deccan Mujahideen. Not much is known about these men, except that they came on a boat and had been orchestrating these attacks for approximately two months. It saddens me that men and women will hurt others in the name of religion. Religion - regardless of which one it is - is an institution to guide us. My religion taught me how to be patient and to love. It gave me values and moral. Never did it say to harm others in the name of God. And, I am not aware of a God who asks his children to hurt others.

Why? Why the hate? The bloodshed? The anger?

As the events continue to unfold, we learn that these men have had relations with Pakistan, which has further heightened the anger and animosity in India. There have been some accounts of backlash towards Muslims in India because of this new information. I don't believe that we can have anger towards a whole country or a whole religion. We have to remember that these men do not represent the sentiments of Pakistanis or Muslims, but rather a very small minority of men and women who are misguided.

This is not a war between India and Pakistan, but rather between terrorists and peace. I hope we can all remember, that this is not a war between India and Pakistan, between Hindu and Muslim or between rich or poor. But rather this is a fight for freedom, for peace, for love, for acceptance. To end hate and terrorism.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful to have freedom, democracy and to feel safe. To have hope for the future. To be able to say we voted for the first African American President. I am thankful for my family, whose goofiness always puts a smile on my face. I am ever so grateful for my friends who can make me laugh. I am thankful that I have a home, a job, a career, and health insurance.


I'm also thankful for my favorite red Aldo shoes, my brown military dress, fresh air, my backyard, jokes and giggles, the songs the birds sing, my iPod, my books, silence in my home, chocolate and green tea.

May you find peace in your heart, live in a home with love and find your Tashaan.