Gratitude, Gifts and Gravy

It is that time of year, holidays approaching, the end of the year on the horizon. The season shifts, our mood swings, expectations ramp up because of holiday mania. 

I'll break it down. For Thanksgiving all we really need to do is find one reason, or a million reasons if you can, to give thanks. It can be as simple as I have coffee in my cup. It could be I am thankful that I am not who and where I was 365 days ago, or ten days ago, or even yesterday. I am thankful for answered prayers. I am thankful for lessons learned and the events that pushed me to learn them. I am thankful for food on my table. It could be I am thankful I have enough food to share with others who are struggling. It could be I am thankful for a dear one recovering from illness. Perhaps it is the renewed decision that I choose life. Each and every day I choose life.

For Christmas the only gift we really need to give is that of our love, time, faith, encouragement, support. There is no supply chain shortage there. Anything else is gravy. And yes, I do love gravy, but gravy manifests in many ways.

There is also sadness, anxiety, a feeling of regret and grief that shadows this time of the year. We are not alone in this. You are not alone in this. Grief feels heavier during the holidays. Try as we might to ignore it, stuff it, forget it. It's there. The brightness of the holidays dim because of it.

It's okay to feel a little off during this season. To feel our losses deeper. It's okay if the holly isn't as jolly as it used to be. It's okay if this is my reality, maybe your's too. Own it, shed some light on it and trust the process. We have reasons to be grateful. We are a gift to others just as we are. Grief and all. P.S. Enjoy the gravy.