Like my mom, I am also thankful for many things. I’m thankful that I got to come home for Thanksgiving and see my family and friends, spending a weekend relaxing by the fire and playing board games, rather than straining my eyes staring at a computer screen 24/7. I’m thankful that I survived my first high school reunion without any deeply embarrassing moments. I’m thankful that I actually like my job and the organization that I’m working for. I’m thankful for all of the wonderful people in my life who continue to support me, which brings me to my last point – I’m thankful for everyone who has supported our project on Kickstarter. All the generosity that has been shown so far is remarkable and we truly appreciate it.

Here is our progress so far in raising funds to finish the project:

Kickstarter progress

We are now in the process of editing over 150 hours of footage. My mom is poring through the footage and editing a “rough cut” of the film herself, while I am working to translate the Spanish-language transcripts from our interviews in Argentina with our subjects there – in Buenos Aires and Carlos Keen. So while we are keeping busy, we do still need help. We know that the film will be that much stronger if we hire a professional editor to do their magic and edit the “final cut.” This will ultimately give our documentary a better shot at wider distribution, the potential to be seen by a larger audience, and the power to inspire and motivate other change makers.

We’ve got a little over a month to go to raise the remaining $2000 to reach our goal – that’s only 80 people pledging $25 (the average pledge amount). But of course, any amount pledged is much appreciated! If you haven’t already done so, please take a look at the ten-minute trailer on our Kickstarter page and check out the “rewards” at various pledge levels. Of course the biggest reward will be in knowing that you’ve helped motivate others to make a positive difference in our world through the power of this film.

Thank you so much to those who have pledged and to everyone who has followed along with us on this journey so far. We hope that you will continue to do so and share our project with others!

It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is next week and that I’ve been home for almost 3 months. Every year seems to go by faster than the last. Every Thanksgiving,  I try to remind myself the true meaning of this holiday, beyond the copious amounts of food and the family gatherings. I remind myself to be thankful for what I have.

I’m most thankful for my family and those we are able to gather together. There are so many families, separated by distance or emotions who can’t be with one another this Thanksgiving. Erin is coming home for the weekend and we are really looking forward to being with each other again. My parents are no longer here in body but I’m thankful for what they made possible for me in my life and how they made me who I am. And I’m thankful for my extended family who I don’t get to see as often as I like but I’m grateful for the time that we do have with one another.

Of course this year, I’m grateful for the journey that I was able to experience with my daughter and for all the selfless people that we met along the way. My spirit was renewed by each and every one of these wonderful people who we got to know through the making of our film. They gave me back my faith in human nature and my belief that the impossible was possible. This experience brought balance to my life and a new perspective in how I see the world.

I am thankful that I have a wonderful home; in a beautiful part of the country and that my husband and I have been able to sustain that in such a tough economy. My husband made it possible for me to take some time off as he held down the fort. He did that because he could and he knew that I needed that at this point in my life.

I’m grateful for my friends and my colleagues that I have gotten to know this past year. I’ve been richly rewarded by the collaborations with my professional peers. I learned that by giving, I received more in return. Giving and sharing filled a hole in my life that I didn’t know had been missing. So to all my friends, whether personal, professional or both – thank you for being in my life.

I am forever grateful to be born in this country, where anything is possible. I will never take that for granted, nor the privilege and responsibility that comes with that. One thing that I noticed when I returned after being out of the U.S. for almost 4 months, was that there is so much anger here – anger born out of frustration. It saddens me deeply. For me, when I get frustrated and angry, I try to focus on what I can do to change what bothers me. I try to focus on the positive and do what I can to make a difference. I can do that with my camera, because that is a powerful tool in creating awareness and that is the beginning of positive change.

Lastly, thank all of you who have made donations through Kickstarter. If we meet our goal, and we’re halfway there, then the money will be used to hire a professional editor. I know that will give the film the extra polish it needs to get wider distribution. And wider distribution means that more folks will see it and be inspired and motivated to be a change maker. Imagine if that happened in a big way. If you haven’t seen our Kickstarter page, please take a look, and pass it on to other change makers.

Have a peaceful Thanksgiving everyone and remember what the day means.