Since childhood, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. The main reason is that it’s not a religious holiday, which has a tendency to separate cultures and religions. Thanksgiving, on the other hand, is a holiday that unites people and brings joy. It is a day that reminds us to give thanks for all the good in our lives.

Being born into a family who survived the horrors of World War I, I am well aware of the misery humans can inflict on one another. As a journaling advocate and writing instructor, I encourage my students to write about what they are thankful for at the end of each day. Personally, I am thankful for all the wonderful people in my life and to quote a great man,Marcel Proust:“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

I am celebrating this Thanksgiving in Paris with my family. Even though we won’t be eating turkey, together we will toast to the joy we bring into one another’s lives and how blessed we are to have one another.