Each year around this time, we seek to express our gratitude for the blessings we may count as ours.  But this year, Thanksgiving seems to me to be especially important.

As a celebration of our blessings, Thanksgiving also carries an inherent sense of hope, not just gratitude.  Being grateful for our current circumstances, including most certainly family and friends who contribute meaning to our lives, we also celebrate hope—hope that life will not only continue to bless us with what we have, but also bring us better days.

I don’t know anyone who has not been touched by the current pandemic, whether themselves, their families or their friends.  Each of us knows someone, or knows of someone, within our circle who have lost a family member recently because of the virus.  Because this virus is unpredictable in how it manifests itself, we are all being asked to limit our celebrations to our immediate family with whom we have implemented some sort of bubble.  

Perhaps more than any other year, this celebration can certainly have more meaning.  Some of us may still be dealing with the loss of family or close friends.  But we can still be thankful for having had that family member or friend in our lives as we celebrate with, and are grateful for, those that are still here.

Whatever our circumstances, we can create a new tradition as we celebrate in a safe manner with the hope that we may celebrate with abandon next year.

Personally, I am grateful for not just my family and friends, but for the opportunity to meet new people every day through my work.

I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving Day celebration.

CDC Guidelines for a safe Thanksgiving Celebration