Thanksgiving 2020

 

Thanksgiving 2020

 

Sitting in the weekly staff meeting at the hospice office, my mind was a million miles away. Thinking about the day ahead and what it may bring, I lost track of time and what was being discussed. Then I heard the words “Thanksgiving 2020”. I refocused. A chaplain was reading a poem about the upcoming holiday. It speaks of the depth of this Thanksgiving. I share it with you:

 

“This is a strange Thanksgiving. Not what we hoped for, not what we expected. Does it help that we’re in the same boat? Maybe. Maybe not. We may be feeling disappointed, frustrated, anxious. We miss those we usually would see around the table on Thursday. We are changing our routines of travel, entertaining, preparing food. We don’t like any of it. That much is true, we might as well admit it.

 

That being said, it is Thanksgiving. The first ones to celebrate Thanksgiving also were grieving for loved ones who had died. They had almost starved to death. They were experiencing illness and fear. They had left behind everything familiar and comfortable. But they gave thanks for life, love and hope.

 

Perhaps we can do the same: Thanks for the breath that fills our lungs and support the life of our bodies. Thanks for the food that comes from the good earth, to nourish us and to share with others. Thanks for those we love, and those who love us. Thanks for the scientists working to save our lives, thanks for that by this time next year, things will be different. Thanks for life. Thanks for love. Thanks for hope.” Rev. Audrey Turner (used with permission)

 

The Bible says: “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”