"The Grief is Real: Thanksgiving 2020"
11/23/2020
There is no doubt that COVID-19 is continuing to change our world and our lives. It has changed mine. Normally, around Thanksgiving, I would be considering a trip home to PA to see my 81 year old mother. She is doing fairly well but I do worry about her. She is in good care and for that I am thankful. Even so, her younger sister died a few months ago and it has continued to weigh heavy on mom's heart and soul. I wish I could travel to PA and see her. It would make me feel better and I believe it would lift her spirits too. But that trip is going to have to wait. So, the grief is real. I won't be making that trip.
About 10 days ago I had the amazing blessing of being able to hold my two grandchildren, Eloise and Hampton. She is three and he is eight months old. Holding each of them was priceless at my youngest daughter's engagement celebration that was greatly pared down with only the most immediate family members. It felt so good to be with Eloise and Hampton, and their parents Sierra and Michael. It was the "balm in Gilead" that soothed my heart and soul which had been greatly missed seeing them and being with them.
So, this week there will be many, me included, who will be grieving the norm of being able to freely, almost thoughtlessly, congregate with family at Thanksgiving. I realize that this is a time for smaller, most immediate family gatherings. It's the bigger gatherings that will be most missed for many of us. It's the deferment of traveling to see relatives where COVID-19 numbers are greatly rising. It's a bittersweet time. It's a time of loss even in the midst of some joy. Joy of being able to be with those most closest to us.
So, what can we do? First, be mindful of true feelings and real loss. No one is immune from the losses caused by the pandemic. Let us be gentle with those who are most sad, including ourselves. Let us remember those who have already passed and will be missed this Thanksgiving. That grief is real. Secondly, let us be gentle toward ourselves. Ask yourself: How am I feeling? What do I miss? What can I do to honor my feelings, yet still enjoy life and the holiday? For me, I want to give thanks to God. I am grateful for the bounty of the land and the bounty of a precious family who loves me and who I love. Lastly, let us move forward with a deep faith, honest and true feelings, and a deep love for God and family. May we remember those who need an encouraging word or a kind gesture. Either way, the grief is real and so are the blessings.
