What a difference 365 days make. Life was so different for us a year ago. I was getting ready to make the two pumpkin pies I always take to our family Thanksgiving celebration. For the past five+ years, our twin sons have hosted the family Thanksgiving get-together. Of all the holidays, Thanksgiving is my favorite. It is the one time of year that we are all able to get together. That is not happening this year.
Our sons made the decision about a month ago to forego hosting the family this year. With all the new outbreak of Covid-19 cases in our state, they didnāt feel it was safe for family to travel. Their concern was primarily for their father and I who are in the critical age category. They were also concerned about their older brother who suffered a stroke in June; he has made extraordinary progress and is back to at least 90% full function. They were also concerned about their sister-in-law who suffers from an autoimmune disease.
Just having such caring children is one of the most important things to be thankful for. It makes me feel good knowing that their father and I raised such compassionate adults. Family comes first for them. They are willing to make this one time sacrifice to keep everyone healthy.
However, we will all be together on Thanksgiving, thanks to the internet and ZOOM. We have āmetā many times since March, when travel was not an option. Spending the day in our own homes is a simple sacrifice that we are all willing to make so that we can all be together for Thanksgiving 2021.
I have so many other things to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for modern medicine and all they can do to heal the sick and make them whole again. We have had a few medical issues in our family in 2020 and so far, the medical teams have been able to heal them all.
I am thankful for the wonderful community in which we live. People in our small rural community have come together to help those in need this past year when people have needed it more than ever. We have experienced their love on several occasions.
I am thankful for where we live. Nothing is better than sitting at my desk, typing and looking out the window at the expanse of forest and watch the squirrels and blue jays as they frolic away and forage for the plentiful acorns we have had this year. I am currently watching the snow gently fall to the ground, leaving a white blanket on the forest floor.
I am thankful for each new day that I am given. I try to use it wisely and not waste even a minute of my time. I read, write, listen to music, go on long walks with my husband and have fun with my crafts. At my age, each day is a present to be enjoyed.
I am thankful for the various virtual organizations I am a member of. Our photography group has come up with innovative topics to take photos of as many of us can no longer get out and about as much as before. I am thankful for the book club I belong to. We have read and discussed a variety of topics this year. None of us has even met in person but you get to feel like you know them just by our discussions. I am thankful for the virtual walking tours I have taken part in. I have been able to walk in Ireland and currently in Nova Scotia. I have the medals to prove it and for each part of the ātrailā I complete, a tree is planted.
I am thankful that we were able to attend our granddaughterās wedding in October. Although it was a small, quite affair, it was all about family. Being able to see her happiness was a true blessing. There was a time when she wasnāt sure they were going to be able to have anyone attend.
I am thankful that, so far, our family has been spared from the ravishes of Covid-19. They have all taken this disease very seriously and done what has been necessary to keep themselves and others safe. It hasnāt been easy but it has been worth it.
I am thankful for my sisters. We may be separated by many miles but not by our love and support for each other.
I am thankful for my friends. The circle may be small, but it is golden. I know that I can count on any one of them if the need should arise.
I am thankful for my faith. It has gotten me through some difficult times throughout my lifetime. I am thankful for the power of prayer for I know it works.
I am thankful for early morning sunrises calling us to morning prayer and for beautiful sunsets announcing evening vespers.
As a former educator, I am thankful for our current educators who are working under unusual conditions to make sure that all students donāt get forgotten in these difficult times.
I am thankful for my āGive Thanksā box. It is full of all the wonderful things that have happened this year. I cannot wait to open it up on Thursday and relive all the things I wrote about throughout the year. Then, I will start again writing down all the little things that I am thankful for throughout the year and put them in my box.
Yes, this will be a different Thanksgiving from years past, but it doesnāt mean you canāt be thankful. Take some time in the next few days and think about all that you are thankful for.
As always, āDonāt save today for tomorrow.ā
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Very beautiful and well written post! There is so much to be thankful for!!
What a beautiful post! There are indeed many things to be thankful for this year.
Being thankful is what this time of year is all about!
There really is much to be thankful for – and I am trying to keep focusing on all of that!
What a great reminder! Thanks!
I love your thankful list. Isn’t it amazing Zoom didn’t crash with all the families gathering virtually.
These are all such wonderful references to Thanksgiving from the instruction book of life! Thank you for the reminders!
It has been quite the year. Like you, our celebrations were via zoom. Very different for sure!
It has definitely been the year to be thankful and grateful for what we have, as opposed to lamenting about what we have missed out on.
It has definitely been a year where we need to remember that we have much to be thankful for.
It has been such a great year to reflect and recognize all the things that we have to be thankful for! Being positive has been hard in a year like this!
Our family had Thanksgiving time together through a virtual call as well, while we were all safe in our separate homes. It was hard not being together, but we were even able to include those who live on the other side of the world and wouldn’t have been able to be there in person anyway. So much to be grateful for…thank you for these reminders.
This helps to remind us what we all have to be thankful for this year. Here’s to a much better 2021.
Beautifully written! Zoom has become a huge blessing in our lives too! Here’s to keeping grateful and positive through the holidays!
I love the idea of having a thankful box. It is so needed to remember to be grateful for even the smallest things in life. Happy to hear you can still connect with your family and got to go to your grandaughters wedding!
This year has been tough, but has still provided many opportunities to be thankful. Thanks for the reminder!
Reminding myself of what I am thankful for has really helped me navigate these new and different days. You’re right: what a difference a year makes!
Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and enjoyed visiting via Zoom! Iām thankful for Zoom š
This is such a beautiful reminder to be thankful for the things that we have even though we may not like how Covid has impacted our lives. Thank you for sharing your story.
There is definitely so much to be thankful for! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving remembering all of the good things that happened this year!
So much to be thankful for. I just want to say, Iām thankful for your family for taking the virus seriously & protecting yourselves and others as best as you can. šš
What an important thing to do during this time….changes our perspectives for sure. Thank you for putting this together. As I read through it, it reminded me of the many things we have to be grateful for. Thanks.