Of Turkey and Karaoke

“I know ev’rybody on this island…”

My niece’s sweet, high voice flows into the microphone, through the speakers, and over the room.  At nine years old, she’s fearless.  She loves singing, loves her family.  So why not perform the Moana theme song in front of a crowd of 40 relatives?  You have to admire the innocent bravery of children.

It’s my second Thanksgiving in as many days.  Baltimore with Judy’s family, then Boston at mine.  In the weeks leading up to this, My thoughts were about travel, about turkey, about holiday weight gain.  But, of course, that’s not what it’s about.  

The basic unit of the brain is the neuron.  An amazing little cell, the neuron moves chemicals and electricity from one place to another.  But the neuron is no good on its own.  The neuron’s power lies in its connections. Together, neurons form neural networks, and these networks create everything we call life: motion, sensation, thoughts, feelings, love.  

My epilepsy has taught me a lot over the past year.  John Donne’s oft-quoted poem tells us that “No man is an island” and that “every man is a piece of the continent.”  Like neurons, we ourselves exist within networks — of family, friends, teams, communities.  

Sometimes, these networks feel like spider webs. Like if you’re a Polynesian teenage girl hearing the call of the sea.  (Man, I love that movie). Or for that matter, any adolescent kid trying to bust out of childhood and into something approaching adulthood and independence.

Other times, these networks are a safety net.  Like when your brain misfires, and you’re helpless as a baby, and your family and friends step in to catch you.  So I have to thank all the wonderful people in my network this past year.  With special shout-outs to… 

Romer, my brother-in-law.  He and Effie have been the generous, fun-loving hosts of many a Thanksgiving gathering, and I’m always grateful for their hospitality and the way they’ve welcomed me into the family.  But they are also brilliant doctors, and it was Romer who set me on this path of ketogenic diet.  Without him, this blog probably wouldn’t exist.

Bill & Jane, Rich & Patricia.  My rowing buddies-turned-besties, who dropped everything to rush out on an arduous rescue mission when I was stranded in a hospital in Pennsylvania.  In the months after, they helped me get back on my feet with every conceivable kindness.

My families, both by birth and by marriage, who have been so caring and supportive in so many thousands of ways.  I'm so lucky to have such a big, crazy group of people in my life to remind me of who I am.  A special thank-you to Claire and Todd, who organized the big Thanksgiving event that allowed me to reconnect with everyone.

And most of all, my island girl and fellow Moana-lover, Judy.  First, most, last, everything.  My partner, traveling companion, muse and biggest fan.  The love of my life, she is the one who every day saves me from despair and inspires me to move forward.  I can only believe that the world is wonderful place, as evidenced by the fact that she is in it. 

So yes, no studies this week, no big ideas.  Just my little karaoke song (because it's just not Thanksgiving without karaoke!) of gratitude for “everybody on this island.”  You make life amazing.