The time when we overbuy groceries, overbook ourselves with family plans, and overestimate our ability to make Grandma's pumpkin pie without burning it. Yep, Thanksgiving is almost here. And before we dive headfirst into mashed potatoes and political debates over cranberry sauce, let's take a moment to appreciate the smaller and sometimes sillier things that make life worth celebrating.

First off, let's talk about gratitude. Not the "I'm thankful for world peace" kind of gratitude, though that's great too, but the "I survived another year of weird Zoom calls, spilled coffee, and socks that mysteriously disappear in the dryer" kind.

Those little victories matter. They're the unsung heroes of our everyday lives. Like the Wi-Fi that actually works during your nephew's Fortnite livestream. Or finding that one Tupperware lid that's been missing for six months. Those are moments worth a slow clap and maybe even a tiny happy dance.

And while we're counting our blessings, let's give a shout-out to food. Let's be honest: Thanksgiving is the only holiday where elastic waistbands are celebrated, not condemned. Where it's perfectly acceptable to have three helpings of stuffing and still go back for a slice of pie, or two, or three.

We should be thankful for the cooks, the chefs, the unsung heroes stirring gravy, whipping cream, and making sure the turkey does not turn into a culinary crime scene.

But gratitude isn't just about the obvious stuff. It's about the people who make life a little lighter, a little funnier, a little less like a Monday. It's the friend who remembers your coffee order, the sibling who does not judge your weird life choices much, or that neighbor who always waves, even when you're wearing your pajamas at 9 a.m. These are the small doses of joy that stack up like a perfect Thanksgiving sandwich: messy, full, and exactly what you needed.

So, as we gear up for Thursday's feast, let's raise a glass or a fork to the things that truly matter: family, friends, and all the little absurdities that make life hilarious. And maybe, just maybe, let's be thankful that no matter how chaotic this year has been, we're all still here, still laughing, and still able to eat our weight in mashed potatoes without judgment.

Happy almost-Thanksgiving from all of us here at Gopher Update. May your turkey be juicy, your pie plentiful, and your relatives only mildly annoying.

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Until next time -
Donny @ Gopher Update