11/25/2020

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in America. I read an article about all the empty chairs that will be around America’s tables this year. It is sobering to consider what the loss of over a quarter of a million people means to families across our country. The numbers are so large now we use words like ‘over’ and I often to think about how many individual families are contained in that four-letter word.

It is Staggering.

Yet, this holiday is meant for us to think about what we have to be thankful and grateful for and I do have a lot. With such a difficult year, it is easy to lose track of that.

For those of you that lost friends and loved ones to the pandemic, my heart breaks along with yours. I wish I had words that might bring you comfort and truly express my heartfelt sadness for your loss.

I have hope for what lies ahead for us. Hope that our country will find its center again. Many of us have felt so lost in the political mire of the current administration. There is much to heal from.

There appear to be three viable vaccines on the horizon. If we can continue the efforts and the struggle and find patience a little longer, perhaps we will see a better year ahead of us.

I am such a family oriented person this time has been particularly lonely for me. I am so thankful for the phone calls and videos and Zoom calls that have kept us in touch. I miss the hugs so much and when I think about it, I am so grateful they love me enough to stay at a distance and keep us safe.

My husband, my partner, my loving companion throughout this year – I do not know what I would have done with him. He made my world seem somewhat normal every day. To sit and chat over morning coffee, stretching the morning as long as possible has been a blessing. He created a space for me to make jewelry which has been wonderful. He has picked up the majority of our groceries and has cooked as many meals as I have. I am so thankful for him.

I have been fortunate to have a few very dear and very close friends I can call on at any time. It has been so comforting to know I have good friends only a phone call away. We laugh, we cry, we talk and sometimes silence even takes over for a few minutes. It is a good feeling to have this closeness when the world can seem so harsh.

My children delight me with texts and calls and it has helped us stay close. Sometimes it is just a photo or a funny meme, but it is also sometimes a deep and moving chat and those are the best. It is definitely a time to make the best of the hand we have been dealt.

And here? This blogging community? What a wonderful community of people. I definitely give thanks for all of you and the gifts you have brought into my life.

Yes, it has been a tough year. And one that will definitely go down in the history books. The holidays are upon us and my heart recalls so many precious memories of family and friends throughout the years. I hope we can all persevere a little longer so we can see more of those celebratory times in the future.