Thoughts on Being Thankful
In looking at past Thanksgiving holiday posts in an effort to say something new, I came across this one in 2008, and it is still exactly the message I would like to send survivors as we kick off the holiday season in the US. So, I’m re-posting it tonight instead of writing something new, and probably not as heartfelt:
It’s the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US. My day was pretty full, volunteering and serving food early in the day, and then having dinner with my family later. It was a long day, all that time being social and around people has me pretty tired, but I wanted to post a quick thought about being thankful.
Sometimes for survivors, finding something to be thankful for at this time of year is a struggle. Many times we’re simply trying to survive family time without too much stress, or struggling with depression more than usual. I know, I’ve spent many years viewing Thanksgiving messages of gratefulness with my own particular brand of cynicism.
That’s not so much the case now, but it was for a very long time. It takes time, and there’s nothing that can change that. On the other hand, if you can’t find anything else to be thankful for today, be thankful that you are alive, and that you have time, and the hope, that in the years to come, you will continue healing, continue growing, and build a life that includes plenty to be thankful for.
I am thankful that each of you reading this has the chance to live, and become the person you want to be, healthy, and happy. Continue to work, and have hope.