For many of you, this is a very unusual Thanksgiving.
It certainly is for my mother and family
given that it is the first time my mother is celebrating alone,
not preparing her cherished feast,
nor having to chase my brother Marty from biting off the turkey cookies’ heads,
though I bet she is secretly happy not to have had to make those pesky cookies…
and at the same time wishing without a doubt
that my brother Marty would run in and eat every single turkey cookie.
My brother is in the hospital.
A week ago or so my mother called the family
to say she preferred for the family to celebrate Thanksgiving
within their own homes with their families and not come over this year due to Covid,
to be prudent.
My mother is first and foremost faithful
in her belief to do what is right and that love prevails.
Faltering from that would go against who she is as a woman of faith.
I admire my mother's bravery, her strength, her guiding light that she has led us by
without wavering especially when life throws curve balls and the road seems long,
she is a constant source of unending possibilities to lean on. Amazing.
When I asked her if it was going to be hard to be alone
on Thanksgiving day she replied,
»It is just another day that is how I am going to look at it.
I am thankful and pray every day in gratitude,
for my family, and those who have asked me to pray for them.
I would rather everyone be safe
than celebrate this one day together. »
It is another day to be thankful
in a year that has constantly
reminded us that nothing is certain,
and what is important.
A year where heroes in everyday clothing
have shown us what it means to be counted on,
who have stood up without question and worked tirelessly for humanity.
A year where toilet paper was the golden egg and luxury of safety
was another stab at poverty.
A year that has brought to focus on how divided our nation
is and made us question reality from fiction.
A year like none other that I have experienced.
Nevertheless,
it is another day,
a gift,
like every day,
every moment
worthy, sacred, and taken for granted at times.
Another day to give thanks,
to pray,
to long,
to live.
Along with Happy Thanksgiving, I would rather ask:
How are you?
Leave a Reply