A few, short years ago, I found myself stressed about "how" the Thanksgiving Day meal and its festivities would unfold especially since I was barely able to hold my head up much less plan, prep, and execute a meal for guests. And yes, my wonderful sidekick was beside me helping to prepare our "little" family feast. This was after he had done ALL of the food shopping because I could not be in grocery stores. By the time we were ready to sit down to the table, I was spent----physically and emotionally. My appetite was practically gone from all of the overstimulation, but I pushed myself through the dinner because I was still SO grateful for all the blessings bestowed upon me and our family.
As I have written before, living with a chronic condition makes me appreciate the smallest of blessings that I would probably take for granted if I were not in my particular situation. The joy of simple days filled with love from family and friends while actually participating (on some level) in the holiday activities feels like freedom. My soul is refreshed and renewed, and my body releases its vice hold of tension. Some moments and days are more challenging than others, but this is how I have learned to persevere. Reminding myself that less is more and that life doesn't have to fly by at a stressed out pace are gifts I open over and over again.
Thankfully, good conversation, silliness, and laughter are shared around our dining room table decorated for the holidays. It is fun for me to create simple arrangements that help make the room and table colorful and cheerful. This atmosphere allows for meaningful, intentional time spent leaning in and listening to what is shared among those gathered together.
We have some traditional dishes for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it is always fun to allow for different recipes to sneak into the meals as well. Some are winners, and some are not. Oh well...at least it makes for additional amusement!
Counting blessings day in and day out is what living with gratitude really means. Although we enjoy sharing our gratefulness on Thanksgiving Day around the table with our loved ones, let us go a step further and extend some love, kindness, and light into this dark world on any given day.
The smallest outreach to help someone in need shows how much we care. I personally know how much it has touched me to receive hope, courage, and love from others, and it still does. It is better to walk together than face our challenges alone.
I don't know how small or large your Thanksgiving table will be this year, but size doesn't matter. Maybe you long to have others sit beside you who won't or can't be there. Sometimes their absences can hurt deeply. We all have family wounds that need healing in one way or another. But it is important to still lift our voices in gratitude for our blessings and to focus on those who are present beside us while praying for those who are not.
From my house to yours, I wish you a very happy and peaceful Thanksgiving Day with whomever you share your table. There is a simple Thanksgiving prayer that reads something like this-----Bless the food in front of us. Bless the family around us. Bless the love between us. Amen.
