Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so I will be taking a day off from writing this blog. I love this holiday. I love what it represents. This year; however, the anticipation has dwindled, like the air slowly seeping out of a balloon. Our parade is being rained on and our bubbles have burst. This Thanksgiving will be like no other, solemn and strangely quiet.
COVID19 has left its mark upon our hearts. By now, most of us know someone who has had the virus. Perhaps we ourselves, have had it, or someone close to us may have died from it. It may be difficult to feel grateful right now. I am feeling gravely disappointed, that the small group of possibly eight that I had planned to feed on Thanksgiving, has now shrunk to two. I understand the need for vigilance in quarantining, and I know that the entire world must cooperate, in order to stop the spread of this viscous virus; but my heart is heavy.
I am fortunate. I know this. I am grateful. I am healthy. No one that I know personally, has died from COVID. I am grateful for the food I have, knowing that so many are struggling to feed their children during this time. I am grateful for the roof over my head and for so many, many things. Hardship is nothing new to me. Isolation has been my way of life, so I can more easily handle what for many, is extremely difficult. Maybe this is why I write this blog. I want to be able to encourage others, to inspire them, and help them to know that difficulties can be overcome. It starts with having a grateful heart for however much – or how little – we have. Tomorrow, I hope that everyone will count their blessings, say a prayer for their loved ones, and a special prayer for our planet. Tomorrow, let’s not be sad. Let’s be thankful.
