Things to Be Thankful for in 2020

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving. This is my favorite holiday. Good food, no pressure to give gifts, and, if this were a normal year, an opportunity to see loved ones.

I realize that most of us are not getting to celebrate it in the manner in which we are accustomed, but maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. We can all focus more, if we choose to, on the many things we have to be thankful for. And we get to avoid all those awkward political conversations that would surely be happening right now if this were a non-pandemic year. Maybe we should view this as the time and space this country needs to heal its rifts.

Here are the things I’m thankful for in this crazy year:

• My loved ones value my health enough to stay away, and are staying safe themselves, even if it’s hard.
• Everyone I know personally that I have crossed paths with since March has had the decency and the sense to wear a mask, and because of that, so far, I am COVID-free.
• I am quick enough on my feet to back away from the maskless strangers that I encounter, thus protecting myself and my husband.
• I’ve had the opportunity to spend even more time with my dogs than usual.
• I have a renewed sense of how important people are to me, and how precious life is.
• I take nature even less for granted than I did before.
• I am more focused on exercising than I ever have been in my entire life. (It’s a great way to work off COVID stress.)
• I am constantly reminded of the importance of patience. It is a lesson that I have always struggled with, but I’m definitely getting more practice this year.
• It is very easy to tell who cares about others and who only cares about themselves these days, and that information comes in handy.
• I’m feeling very patriotic because I’m doing my part to maintain public health.
• I’m also proud of the fact that so many of us voted for the first time, and I’m proud that no evidence of election fraud has been presented, and that just saying does not make it so.
• I’m glad that this year is almost over.
• I’m touched by the amount of generosity I’ve seen. Times have been tough on everybody, but they’ve been even worse for some, and I’m glad that people are stepping up and helping out at a time when the government is not.
• I’m grateful to still have a job.
• I’m looking forward to hate being something that is less acceptable and comfortable in this country again.
• I value all that this year has taught me.
• I’m grateful for all the front line workers who have seen so much horror and done so much this year, and yet still keep showing up for all of us.
• I am grateful, most of all, for those of us who have managed to survive thus far. It’s taking a village, but we can do this.

This has been a long, exhausting year, and we’re all on the ragged edge. No doubt about it. But I hope that you, too, can still dig deep and find things to be thankful for. Post some of those in the comments, if the spirit moves you, dear reader, and know that I am thankful for you, too.

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