Who’d a thunk we’d still be enduring the COVID pandemic going on nine months into Thanksgiving?
My hubby shared that he’d had numerous patients in anxious tears this past week thoroughly disappointed that they wouldn’t be able to spend time with their families on Thanksgiving. I get it — I confess to tearing up in the Kroger’s baking aisle asking myself WYWMB — “what yeast would mom buy” — to make her raisin coffee cake?
As little blessings always seem to appear when needed most — sometimes even in a busy grocery store — I ran into my dad’s youngest sister in the produce area, my Aunt Janet and Uncle John Olivo, and in the dairy and egg section, my cousin Lorrie Burkhart. Just like yeast is a living organism that causes dough to rise, the voices of loved ones (even masked) cause hope and encouragement to rise.
As I drove home with two kinds of yeast, I recalled teaching my three daughters a lesson on being grateful when they were quite young in elementary school. Instead of being negative and saying they absolutely hated something, like after trying Brussels sprouts or seeing an outfit that didn’t agree with them, I suggested we begin to use the word “unique.” It began to be a family inside communication joke that if something was unique, it was not only different, but many times disliked or hideous.
2020 has been quite unique, but there is so much to be thankful for. This unique Thanksgiving allowed me to realize that for the past 60 years, minus 2009 when I was in India, I have celebrated every single Thanksgiving with my parents, six siblings, our spouses and children and extended family. Of course, Thanksgiving 2020 has been unique as we gave thanks in our separate family cells.
But I did find out that — 2020 being unique or not — everyone is growing in gratitude and thankfulness:
Alex Mangas: “I’m thankful that even in the midst of the pandemic and moving to Cincinnati, I found a church community. And even though 2020 stole a lot, it also put family and health into perspective.”
Chloe Tillman: “I’m thankful that I can’t see the studs in my house anymore.” She and her husband Michael bought and totally remodeled a 1900 Craftsman.
Phoebe Ritchie: “I’m thankful first and foremost for my brand spankin’ new husband. I’m grateful we got to have a normal wedding. I’m grateful for new opportunities and the resulting new communities and for my family being a constant in my life — the good kind of constant.”
Here’s what a few of my nieces and nephews are thankful for:
Nev Hommel, 16: “Yarn, books and online shopping.”
Raegan Hommel, 15: “My dog, chickens, family and that we are still able to attend church and school in person.”
Eli Hommel, 13: “My family and God.”
Isaac Hommel, 11: “Football and family.”
Drew Hommel, 8: “Family and friends.”
Although the first official proclamation of a U.S. national Thanksgiving holiday came in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln called for an annual Thanksgiving celebration on the last Thursday of November, writers like the apostle Paul had written these words to encourage thankfulness nearly 2,000 years ago.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“… And be thankful.” — Colossians 3:15
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving — unique or not.
