Thanksgiving in 2020

Thanksgiving is the day to enjoy family and your favorite traditions. For some reason this year doesn’t really have that “get together” kind of vibe. But seriously, I have discovered that just being in each other’s lives and having the privilege of shelter, food, and work is quite enough to be thankful for. There is not one person I know who has not had to go through something traumatic, other than being in the middle of a pandemic, this year. Yet, we have made it through (so far). I can’t not correlate the fact that 2020 also means hindsight, which then leads to the thought that maybe this year was meant to be about reflection, and what is most important in life. Then that leads to the questions:

What are you most thankful for this year? What have you learned about yourself?

I’ll go first. I am thankful to have all of my family in my life. Sure, we are scattered across the country, but we still manage to stay connected through zoom calls, text messages, and old fashioned phone calls. We started playing games and asking deep questions. The fun part is we still learn something about each other, and it never fails that my mom will talk about the convent (that’s another story). Lol. We ask questions like: what is the most beautiful place you have ever been? What will you do this next year that no one would expect? What was your favorite show, book, or movie this year?

I learned that I am stronger than I thought I was. I had to be the support for my husband when all this quarantining started. I earned my nutritional therapy certification. I started a new business (again). I had to really build up the confidence to put myself out there on social media; I am actually still working on that. I learned when relationships are true, the connections can last a lifetime, regardless of the time that passes. I had to be there for my husband when he lost his job of almost 17 years, and completely changed his career. Most of all I learned that nothing will change or happen unless you take the first step, or make the first decision to make it happen. In other words, believe in yourself and go for it!

So this year for Thanksgiving, we will enjoy our family zoom calls and our quaint little dinner for ourselves. We will celebrate everyone’s health and wish everyone the same for next year. We will share memories from the past and create new ones. We will laugh and cry and even the famous laugh-cry. While we haven’t been able to hug or be around each other, we will feel the unconditional love we all have and know that is enough. I am so very grateful for every moment on this side of the earth with the people I love. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! (Virtual squeeze hug)