Thanksgiving is often a time that many Americans give thanks to all that they have in their lives. Although the history of an American Thanksgiving seems to be a mixed bag of issues, I still love having my family together, eating good food, and yes, counting my blessings. This year has certainly challenged people all over the world, so the opportunity to be aware of all that we want to be grateful for seems like a good way to spend this day and this week.
In so many ways, I’m grateful to the pandemic. I’m not grateful that people have lost loved ones, or are still suffering with symptoms, or have lost their livelihoods. I’m grieving those situations. Yet, I’m grateful for a home, a roof over my head, food on my table, and time with my family. I’m most grateful for the excellent health of friends and family who I love so dearly. I’m so grateful that my husband and I both still have careers and both still find excitement and meaning in the work that we do. We are privileged in so many ways. Not only am I aware of that, but it feels ridiculously selfish to not acknowledge that privilege and to realize so many others don’t have that.
Thanksgiving in 2020 requires us to mourn what we've lost while being grateful for all we still have. #Thanksgiving #gratitude #happiness Click To Tweet2020 has brought challenging discussions around race, politics, mask wearing, and attending school live or virtually. I’m grateful that my family had access to PPE, internet, and a place to live when school and career options became vulnerable. I’m so grateful for my sweet 14-year-old dog and to all of the comfort she has brought to our family during this really challenging time. Having two of my three adult children living with us during this time was also a true blessing in that we got to learn about each other as adults, friends, and roommates versus parents and children. My children, as always, have brought incredible joy into my life.
I’m grateful for the companionship of friends and a husband who still makes me laugh. I’m grateful that my husband and I still have all four of our parents who are in good health and living happy lives. I’m grateful that soon we will have a grand niece and nephew and the hope that we can meet them in the next year. Our niece and nephews are such wonderful people and seeing them develop their wonderful adult lives has been a joy. I’m grateful for my brother and sister-in-law, their good health, and their own lives and adventures through this time.
Thank you for indulging me as I write this list of gratitudes. I hope it prompts you to do the same. I can’t be unhappy and grateful at the same time. They don’t live well together. I’m also grateful to all of you who read this blog, comment, send me such kind notes of support and share a piece of your life with me. Connecting to each of you is a joy and I’m the better person for it. I’m sending all of you love and good wishes for a beautiful Thanksgiving and a healthy, happy, and prosperous future.
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC