A Helping of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. In my family it has always consisted of a morning of watching the parade and browsing the giant stack of sale flyers in the paper while the aroma of turkey fills the house. Then we eat our faces off and take a nap and a walk before regrouping for dessert. We end the day watching National Lampoon’s Christmas vacation. (My childhood Thanksgivings did not include National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, that is a tradition my husband added, much to my mother’s dismay). Food, family, and relaxation, I can’t think of a better way to spend a day. Last year was different. I was scheduling Covid tests in preparation for spending Thanksgiving with my parents. It would be the first time sharing a meal inside with them for more than 8 months. Some of our friends and family thought it was reckless even though we took the necessary precautions. I felt guilty and wondered if my selfish desire for normalcy was putting their health at risk. There was fear leading up to the day and worrying after we left as we waited out the incubation period in the days that followed our visit. I wore the fear and anxiety like a weighted blanket. Despite that burden, spending time with my parents last Thanksgiving was the first time in my life I can honestly say I felt gratitude. I have always been grateful for what I have, but knowing what gratitude is and feeling it are two very different things. This year as I prepare to spend Thanksgiving with them once more, I no longer carry the weight of anxiety and fear, but I don’t want to lose sight of the gratitude I felt. It's easy to fall back into old routines, to get caught up in the frenzied pace of the holidays and forget the gift time spent with our friends and families is. Happy Thanksgiving! May your day be full of appreciation for the ones you love.