- by Matt Baker

I truly hope everyone had a wonderful and love filled long weekend!
In the spirit of the holiday let me share with you what I am thankful for. First, I'm thankful for my friends and family, without you I would have never got  this far, nor would I be the person I am today.

I’m thankful to live in these communities, and in this community. I’m proud to be from Grey and Bruce, but I’m thankful to be a part of as many communities as I am within this community.

I’ve dedicated a substantial portion of my adult life to our Indigenous community and I’ve been rewarded with a richness and depth of culture, communal closeness, love and support I had never experienced before.

I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to be surrounded by strong, compassionate, intelligent, and awe inspiring women. Personally and professionally I’ve been exceedingly fortunate to have the opportunity to love, be loved, be taught, be inspired, be humbled, and just simply be in the presence of such extraordinary people.
I’m thankful to have been welcomed by the queer community over the last several years. You’re some of the most loving and incredible human beings I’ve ever met!

I’m thankful to all the loving, caring, and supportive men that I’ve ever had in my life. I’ll never be able to thank you all personally. From coaches, teachers, family members to my dad... I love you and I’m thankful to have had you in my life!
I’m thankful for every single first responder, health care professional, cashier, truck driver and everyone else whose been working during this time!
I could go on for hours, and maybe I should but I’ll leave you with this...

I’m thankful to be alive. We have been and are living through what can only be described as a quagmire of stress, hardship, fear and the ever looming despair of a future that is unprecedentedly uncertain. I’ve suffered, excelled, loved, lost, lived but mostly struggled silently my entire adult life with mental illness.

I’m not okay, which is okay to say. I’ve been struggling for a long time and this pandemic has taken a devastating toll.
I’m thankful to be alive... because that gives me another day to fight for the happiness and life I have to remind myself I deserve.

You’re not alone... thankfully we’re not alone. I’m honestly horrified that you’ve read this, that I’ve shared this with you. I hate it, I feel weak and vulnerable but... what if I grew up being taught a societal perspective I disagree with now? It’s not embarrassing to feel weak, vulnerable, feel completely overwhelmed or to just need to cry or break down sometimes!
I’m thankful for all the agencies and supports that exist in this community to help people when they’re in need! We’re strongest when we all support, appreciate, and love one another!

As we approach the worst of the second wave, possibly being isolated again and another Canadian winter... please take the time to appreciate what and who you have! Please take care and check in on each other... you may be thankful you did.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash