As we celebrate this day of Thanksgiving, it's simple to find something to be thankful for when the year has been full of happiness. However, how do we actually find things to be thankful for when you've experienced such loss in a year? How do you find positivity and happiness in a year full of tragedy and hardship for yourself and the whole world?
2020 has been a difficult year for all of us. Each person is unique to this part of history. Some have the same experiences of hardship, while others have gone through a season of mourning and sadness. Through it all we find ways to cope, heal, and rise from the difficult circumstances we have faced thus far.
This year, I found it hard to find things to be thankful for. My sister passing earlier this year was the most difficult season I have faced and it continues to still be a hard reality to live. Full of grief, it took awhile for me to see life in a positive light. This time last year, she was in the hospital going through test after test. Diagnosed with brain and skull cancer, she was still the rock and strength of the family. She continued to show faith, hope, and was resilient through every stage of her journey.
Last year we celebrated Thanksgiving within the walls of her hospital room giving thanks despite the fact we were not able to celebrate at home. We ate together happily, watched TV, and laughed at the different stories we talked about. Hoping and looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving this year together healthy, strong, and out of the hospital, has now become a wish, hope, ahh, if only... Last year was the last Thanksgiving we had as a complete family but I am grateful that my sister was full of life, eating happily, enjoying the time together as a family despite the news of cancer.
Although we are healthy, strong, and out of the hospital this year, we still have a missing piece to our family. So how is it possible to be thankful for this terrible year? Despite the tragedy, I'm thankful to be able to hear my sister preach every Sunday through her sermons that were recorded while she was still here. I'm thankful to still have my parents, my husband, my family and friends around me. Even though COVID-19 has brought a different norm to this world, I am thankful.
Each one of us has faced some type of tragedy this year. It could be losing your job, a family member, a home, or even experiencing health concerns; however, in whatever we are facing, always look at what is good in the moment despite the dark cloud that has been placed above us. This year has brought clarity to different parts of my life. My relationship and belief in God continues to grow stronger. Lessons are being learned to be able to grow and mature. New opportunities have appeared in areas that seemed impossible.
In one way or another, we are all facing a type of hardship and a type of thanksgiving. In saying that, this is the moment that we have to live each moment we have left on this earth to the fullest. We are not guaranteed a long life, but we can guarantee living the best life we possibly can. Whatever it maybe, be thankful that you are still alive in this moment, do something positive for yourself and for other people. Let us all be the positivity in this life because you never know if you are somehow the positive being or story someone needs.
COVID-19 has changed our world, our normal way of living, the life we were all used to but as we are in this state of difference, continue to find ways to be with family, friends, your significant other. Find time to venture on a new hobby if possible, use this crazy change in our life to finally do that one thing that has been on your list to-do. While this day is coming to an end, we can always be in thanksgiving everyday of the year.
I hope that you will find a positive light in whatever you have faced or maybe facing in this time. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and I would like to thank all the family and friends who continue to support me in many ways especially this new venture. To the people who have come across this lifestyle blog, thank you for your support in visiting and taking the time to read these stories.
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