Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, but it’s going to look a little bit different this year. Like many, we’ve decided to not do an in-person meal with my family, opting instead to exchange food with my mom.
I wish things were different, but they aren’t. C’est la vie. I look at this pandemic Thanksgiving as a temporary sacrifice so we can have more – and more joyous – holidays in future years.
This year has been particularly tough, but I do have many things to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, and I’d be remiss not to talk about it on this day. For one thing, I’ve been working full-time again since early October, which is a blessing. I was shocked that I was able to find full-time work, despite all the doom and gloom about the economy.
I’m also grateful that my family and friends seem to be healthy and in good shape. Lately, I’ve been hearing more about people catching COVID-19, but there’s been nothing terribly serious so far.
I’m grateful that my mood has been relatively stable over the past few months. Even for an introvert like me, I’ve had some cabin fever lately, leading to low moods. But I’ve been able to stay in the middle for the most part, which is great.
This will be the second holiday season without my father, who passed away in 2018. The feelings this time around are much less intense. People used to tell me that the first year is always the worst when it comes to grief, and I’ve found that to be true. This year, I’ve been reflecting more on good memories and the times we shared together.
Whatever your plans are this Thanksgiving, I want to wish you a great one. Some people are gathering, some are not. Philadelphia has imposed pretty strict quarantine rules, and the news is filled with dire warnings for people who plan to meet face-to-face. Though I’m choosing to stay socially distanced, I’m a bit tired of the self-righteousness of those who are shaming people who want to be with their families.
When the day is over, Christmas and the holiday season will be right around the corner (and the retailers will let us know it). It’s going to be a weird holiday, but just for today, I’m choosing to stay grateful.
(Cover photo by Pro Church Media on Unsplash)
