Today I’m choosing thankfulness.
My life in 2020, perhaps more than any other year, is filled with events that with each month that passes, feel insurmountable. Perhaps you feel it too.
I chose a word, like many do, for 2020 early in January. It was reconnect. I envisioned that word on many levels: with family, friends, with God. I looked forward to a writer’s conference to meet up with old friends, outings to farmer’s markets and museums, lunches with siblings, and visits with grandkids. Joining a church we had visited and loved.
And then the year began to unfold. A fall on my head that took months to heal. A pandemic and a lockdown nobody could have predicted. The loss of my ninety-six-year-old father-in-law in a time hospitals and funerals are isolating. Through it all, we bought a house (which I love btw) and sold one I thought I’d never want to leave. Followed by an election that almost tore apart the country I love. The year is ending with an upsurge in the pandemic that now keeps families apart during a holiday we treasure as time to bring family and friends together. A time when we celebrate our thankfulness.
Only in the darkness can you see the stars. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
And so even through my despair, I’m choosing thankfulness.
I’m thankful for each of you dear readers. I’m thankful for my children, who have grown up to have their own convictions, but share with me in the values of love and family. I’m thankful for a warm home and good food. I’m thankful to live in a country of abundance and strength. I’m thankful for the heroes who protect and preserve our great country–the military, doctors and nurses, firefighters, policeman, and teachers.
I’m thankful that we live in an age where technology keeps us in touch even when we can’t be together. Gathering by Zoom, or a phone call makes it possible to be together while keeping our loved ones safe.
And I’m thankful that somehow during this strange and difficult 2020, I’m learning to reconnect to the simple things in life that I treasure. Baking bread, planting bulbs, reading a favorite book, writing a long overdue letter, passing down a family recipe, complete with my mother’s words of wisdom (though my own words are coming to my daughters through a text at the moment, lol). And through this joy, reconnecting to God’s love that endures and does not fail. And that gives me hope.
Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today. You fill my heart with gratitude! Happy Thanksgiving!
Love, Rebecca
Rebecca DeMarino, writing Love, Legends, and Lore!
Comments 8
Thank you so very much for your words of wisdom, hope and love. At my age I worry about not being able to see my family, all of them, again. I miss most our children and grand children, who live out of the US, our daughter and grandson in Canada and our loving son, our loving and wonderful daughter-in-law and their two sons (our other two grandsons) who live in Texas. Our son in Texas was just diagnosed with Covid but doing better already. Keep your messages coming and May God bless you and your family.
Author
My heart goes out to you as I know how hard it is to be separated from your children and your grandchildren. That it is not only distance that is separating families, but the need to socially distance as well, makes this time so much more difficult. I truly believe this will be over soon. May God keep you and your family in His embrace.
I really liked your Thanksgiving message and I look forward to reading more.
Author
Thank you so much, Priscilla!
this is so special Rebecca just like I knew it would be. Hoping this finds you and Tom well. Sorry for the losses in your family. I lost my mom this year. Even tho she was 94 I was not ready but what a brave strong woman. Don’t know if you know but she was from England. Altho she was my step mom (I never use that terminology) she was my mom since I was 3. Her and dad met in England during the war. Stay well Maryann Stembridge
vne
Author
What a special mom, Maryann, and a life well-lived. I’m so sorry for your loss, but glad you have memories of her to treasure. I love how your parents met in England during the war! Mine met during the war too, though in Beeville, TX lol. I’ve discovered there is never an easy age to lose your mother. Thank you so much for writing a note! Tom and I miss White Salmon so much! Say hello to Owen for us and hugs to you both!
Amen-thanks for your beautiful writing l just enjoyed- thanks for sharing & l agree with much you have said & shared
Author
Thank you so much! God bless you!