Thanksgiving isn’t just a day in November

It's been a difficult year for so many of us and it's easy to point to all the things we can't wait to be over and done with. We've lost more loved ones and friends than we should have, watched small businesses in our cities and towns suffer from the effects of a worldwide pandemic, been isolated from the people and activities we enjoy and shuffled through a contentious election season. We had all manner of natural disasters across the country and so many devastating acts of hate against our fellow humans. All of that is enough to make anyone pull the covers over their heads and wait for 2020 to head out so we can get back to normal.

Friends, I dare say that we no longer know normal. Normal left us unceremoniously sometime in March of this year. We can grieve the loss of Normal or we can embrace what this very not normal time continues to bring us. Many of us are enjoying our homes in ways we never thought possible when we had the option to escape them to travel and vacation in "better" places. Many of us have taken up new hobbies or learned new skills we never would have thought of. Many of us had to pick up the pace in many ways to keep up with work related crushes or responsibilities on the home front due to the pandemic landscape. And, many of us had to slow down and reacquaint ourselves with the people with whom we live, including ourselves.

As some of you know, my husband recently suffered a terrifying health event with a poor long term prognosis. During one of my 30 minute visits with him this week, he told me 2020 was one of his best years yet. I was shocked and frankly, a little angry! He reminded me that our son and future daughter-in-law moved back home for 6 months during the spring and summer giving us an opportunity to spend time with them we otherwise would not have taken. He, an extreme introvert, was able to avoid the large picnics and gatherings that brought more anxiety than joy and could blame it on the pandemic. He made some excellent choices to improve his health and lifestyle. He was able to list many more good things in 2020 than things that were not. That's not to minimize the challenges, pain, and loss so many are feeling. It's simply to point out, even on our worst days, we find that for which we seek. Look for the good always and it can help restore some balance with all of the not so good.

As we closed our visit, he said again, "2020 was probably my best year yet. Well until it tried to kill me. But look, they said I wouldn't be here and here I am in an exclusive resort (Hartford Hospital) with extraordinary service (someone wakes him every hour to see if he needs anything) and excellent cuisine (he has a low bar for food quality!). Yup, could definitely be my best year yet."

It's very possible my family will not be able to celebrate Thanksgiving in any way one would recognize as a holiday so I am giving thanks today.

I am thankful for all of my colleagues who have worked so tirelessly to respond to the needs of our customers. I am thankful for so many good role models of generosity and humanity for current and future generations to follow. I am thankful for my friends and coworkers who have supported me in a really challenging few months. I am thankful for my family and their unwavering commitment to holding fast to what is important. The list is pretty long so I won't bore you with all of it but I am also thankful for the difficulties I have overcome. I am amazed at what I learned this year about myself and about the people by whom I am surrounded. I know that we needed at least some of these challenges to reset our perspectives in order to go forward to become happier, healthier and better people.

I wish you all a thankful day and encourage you to make every day a thanksgiving of sorts.