Thankful (a year in pics)

Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday.

Christmas and New Years will always have a special place in my heart, but in light of the chaos and uncertainty in our world – and maybe because I’m getting older (and shockingly more mature), I’m realizing the fragility of life and the importance of living with gratitude.

2015 has been one of themost (for lack of a better word) intense years that I can remember. Full of major life events.  So many significant things have happened this year in my life, in the lives of my friends and family, and in our world. Maybe you’re laughing as you are reading this and thinking, “Jedd, this is normal. This is what life is.”

If it is….whoa.

But in the midst of all that has happened this year, there is so much to be thankful for.

I’m thankful for family, like my amazing brothers and sister in-law.

For parents who were brave to make a big life change and moved to Japan.

Thankful for my favorite travel partners and the best in-laws in the world.

Thankful for my new family.

From Lon (Michelle’s brother) and Marian’s wedding last month:

Thankful for Uncle Robert and Grandma Ellie, two wonderful and unforgettable souls who I miss dearly. So grateful I got to know them better over the last couple of years. May they laugh, eat, and rest in peace.

Thankful for friends and family around the world, for their hospitality and for teaching us about their cultures and lives.

Our new friends from Denmark, Satya & Malene

Kit & Nick – fellow digital nomads in Copenhagen

with WDS friend Toréa in Santa Cruz

Michelle’s cousins, the newlywed Matthieu & Charlotte

the Chong brothers in San Francisco

Jarrid & Shelley in Pasadena

College friend Jen and her sweet son, Espen in Copenhagen

Mike & Brittni when we were in Osaka

Major & Karen in Vietnam

Thankful for our crazy and awesome life that we’ve made for ourselves like being digital nomads and working whenever, wherever.

For petsitting and housesitting opportunities that have provided us a place to live these past couple of years (and a chance to hang out with awesome pets).

For being a part of special projects and a community that doesn’t just believe a different world and life is possible, but are making it happen.

But most of all I’m thankful for Michelle, my best friend. I’m thankful for the moments you don’t know about. The things we know about each other that can only happen because of the intentional time we spend together. I’m thankful for whatever is to come and to have a beautiful, determined, passionate life partner to share this crazy adventure with.

Happy Thanksgiving.