2020 has been a year like never before, so why would I think Thanksgiving would be any different? I have to admit that, since the pandemic began, I was secretly hoping that we’d be in a much better place by Thanksgiving. I hoped that I’d be able to host my annual Thanksgiving family get-together: we are usually a group of 15-25 depending on the year. It is, after all, my favorite holiday!
As this year progressed and we got closer and closer to November, I realized that my secret hope wasn’t going to pan out this year. After my initial sadness, I decided to make the best of the situation we are all in right now and focus on my top 10 things I am grateful for right now.
I decided to make the best of the situation.
My grateful list:
1. I am grateful for the four most important people in my family: my husband, my daughter, my son, and my mom.
2. I am grateful that my daughter was able to be home for the holiday (sadly, her husband couldn’t join her, though).
3. I am grateful that my mom and my father-in-law were able to join us for a festive meal.
4. I am grateful for the fact that my family and friends are all happy and healthy.
5. I am grateful for my small pod of friends. We have been able to have socially distanced get-togethers and see each other.
6. I am grateful for living in LA where the weather has allowed us to continue outdoor socially distanced get-togethers.
7. I am grateful that I was able to still cook all of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
8. I am grateful that, even though I couldn’t be there in person, I got to watch the Dodgers win the World Series! Also, the Lakers won!
9. I am grateful that, with my daughter’s expert help, I created a website where I get to share my passions with others.
10. Finally, I am grateful for the technology that is allowing us to all stay connected during this pandemic. When planning Thanksgiving this year, I immediately contacted my family, and we set up a Thanksgiving Zoom call so that we could all check in and “see” each other.
I hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you all get to create your own grateful lists this year!
Happy holidays!