Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving, and I have a lot to be thankful for.  It’s not easy trying to forge a career in the performing arts.  There aren’t a lot of people who can make a living at it full time, and there are even fewer of those people who have the support of a wonderful family behind them.  I know people whose parents still tell them to get “real” jobs, and I know many more people who have had relationships fail under the heavy load of constant travel, financial uncertainty and a fluctuating schedule.  To have a fantastic wife and two wonderful children behind me makes everything else worthwhile.

When we left Baltimore for Vermont, we did it with no jobs in sight, and mostly blind faith leading us forward.  Thanks to extended family we have a place to stay, someone to watch the kids while we are out singing or on job interviews, and loads of encouragement.  Thanks just doesn’t seem like enough of a word.

I just finished a gig with the New York City Opera.  I know, I still can’t believe it either!  Simone is getting job interviews in a down (but improving!) economy.  We randomly found a pre-school down the road that has an opening for a 3 year old, when every other place has a year long wait list.  Edward said “da da” yesterday for the first time, as he grabbed my finger.  The future is looking bright.

I don’t want to kid you all, sometimes I do sit around and mope, feeling broke, talentless, and lost on a sea of hopeless bleak despair.  But today, on a day of giving thanks, when I really think about it, I almost can’t believe how lucky I am.  So thank you friends, thank you family, and thank you God.  I am living a truly blessed life and it’s only getting better.  Happy Thanksgiving.