oh, jonathan, what a gift it is to read the giving of your thanks. i, too, chose to allow the year's end and the year's beginning at the midnight hour to pass in sobriety and silence. i spent my first day of 2006 visiting a buddhist temple and learning of its traditions, a peaceful and gentle opening to my new year.
i echo your poetry of thanksgiving. the giving of thanks is my favorite place to be. as something i once read of meister eckhart, if i pray but one prayer, let it be the words "thank you." i have so much for which to give thanks.
your appreciation of my support is a gift to my life. thank you for receiving what i have to give.