Luann Udell / Durable Goods

There are a jillion things I am thankful for. And I don't need Thanksgiving to be reminded of them. In fact, the idea of setting aside one day a year to officially be thankful underwhelms me. I am very aware of just how fortunate I am.

One thing that comes to mind the last few days, though, are the special people in my life who totally “get” what I’m trying to do with my art and my business, and who support that in some way or other.

Holidays have their own pleasures and rewards. Sometimes, though, I feel like the alien in a Ray Bradbury story I read years and years ago.

It’s the one about an alien creature who seeks refuge with a group of colonists. It’s a shape-shifter. In order to protect its identity, it takes on the identity of dead people—the son of a grieving couple, the husband of a distraught widow. They are all happy to have this faithful replica of their lost loved ones, no questions asked. The problem comes when they all were forced to confront the alien at the same time. They all fight for who he is to be. In his attempts to satisfy all of them, to be who each of them wants him to be, he shape-shifts himself to death, literally tearing himself apart trying to be someone—and everyone—he is not.

I sometimes feel like that after holidays.

I am thankful that I have people in my life who encourage me to pursue my art, people who cheer me on with each professional achievement, people who delight in my creativity. I am thankful for those who recognize how hard I work to maintain a balance of doing what is right for me and doing what is right for others. You know who you are. I am so grateful! Thank you.