Thanksgiving During A Pandemic: Things I’m Thankful For

COVID-19 is still here, and instead of a steady decline, we have a rapid increase. The death toll in America continues to rise, and the government remains non-responsive. The blatant disregard for the safety of others, refusal to wear masks, and adherence to the rule of social distancing is disheartening. Citizens are losing loved ones at alarming rate, and those who refuse to adhere to simple practices that could save lives should be viewed as being complicit in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. We need to think of others and not focus on our need to socialize this thanksgiving holiday, and by doing this loved ones will be kept safe and lives may be saved. I will be having thanksgiving at home with no invited guests. And while I spend this thanksgiving loving on my family and being thankful, here is a list of additional things I’m thankful for during this holiday season while living through a pandemic.

My intention was to have five things on my list, but after number five my list kept growing and I went with the flow. This list is not exhaustive, and neither does it belong to you. It is suggestive and you may find that we have things in common. During this week of thanksgiving, I have been reflective, and below are the little things I am thankful for in no order:

Life: I am alive

Sustainability: Because of COVID-19 lockdown, and working from home, the environment is thanking us. We are driving less, eating out less, and being mindful of our consumption of goods.

Health: I am healthy. I am thankful that my family has been able to remain healthy. I am more mindful of what I eat and paying more attention to my physical and mental health.

Love: I am more appreciative of the love I receive. I give love freely to my mind and my body while feeding my soul the nourishment it has been lacking due to a lifestyle void of pause.

Plants: I am thankful for the many plants I have added to my life since COVID. I have become a proud plant mama. Caring for my plants equates to caring for my mental health. I have enjoyed watching them grow and flourish, knowing that all things grow with love, patience, and time. Watching my plants grow reminds me that what COVID has taken from us, will be replenished with love, patience and time. Grief will subside, finances will increase, and joy will return.

Children: Thankful for my children who make life worth living.

My Partner: I am thankful for my relationship that does not drain but strengthens. That supports, comforts, and empowers. A true partnership. A love that feeds my mind, body and soul without conditions or restrictions. Unconditional.

Pets: My dog has been amazingly understanding during this time. We have invaded her space and she has been gracious. There’s a toddler that torments her daily, and she lovingly obliges. She no longer has the luxury of sleeping all day undisturbed but instead finds time to cuddle at my feet as I work (or to escape the tormenting toddler).

Technology: Thankful for technology. Because of technology I have the ability to work from home efficiently, and be an effective and supportive leader virtually. The opportunity to keep in touch with family and friends is possible because of technology. Thankful for technology in keeping my children entertained and me sane.

Laughter: Thankful for being able to laugh at myself. Laugh with others. Laugh at life when crying is more appropriate.

Memories: Thankful for memories that will sustain me during this thanksgiving away from family and friends. I will remember the stories of past thanksgiving shared over a delicious meal. I will remember the warm feeling of being with family. The hugs, the laughter, my mom’s cooking.

Perseverance: Through it all I am still standing, and I’m thankful. Through all the stress, disappointment, anger, and tailspin this year has put me in, I am still here. I am thankful for anyone who’s had suicidal thoughts this year but decided to hold on one more day. I am glad. Keep holding on. Keep persevering. It gets better.

Pause: I am thankful for the ability to pause. It was an impromptu pause, but a welcomed pause. So often we go about life at full speed and this pandemic has given many of us the opportunity to slow down. With this pause I am able to rest, reflect, and reset.

Work: I am thankful for work. I have remained employed with an organization that truly values the health and well being of its employees. An organization that encourages and supports social distancing and work from home. An organization that has lessened the anxiety of this very anxious mama by displaying compassion. Working from home means my children are safe at home with me and not in school/daycare. I am very thankful.

Music: I am thankful for music. My family has a soundtrack and we play it often. We dance like no one is watching (the neighbors might be) and bond in love.

Please feel free to add to this list, make your own, or take what you need. Pause. Reflect. Reset. Enjoy the memories. If you are social distancing this thanksgiving, utilize technology. ZOOM is lifting their time limit this holiday season for families to stay in contact longer than the free 40-minute time limit the company offers to nonpaying customers. Use it. Face time a friend that is also social distancing, have a virtual meal together. Do a drive by thanksgiving. Drive up with your mask on, grab a plate, give a virtual hug, go home and enjoy.