Be Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Most of us are now stuffed with turkey and family stories. Some of us might be already heading out to Black Friday sales, and some of us are ready for a good night's rest. (If you know me at all, you know I'm staying far away from any placed that require shopping for the next few days) This year's Thanksgiving was more peaceful than most for my family, and I realized that was exactly what we needed. We decided to forego the extended family drama and just have a quiet day at home with our little family of three. We slept in, started putting up Christmas decorations (right on time, and not a moment too early, haha), and just gave ourselves a chance to enjoy each other's company. Some might call it lonely, but it was the best Thanksgiving I can remember.

In the quiet today, I realized how incredibly much I have to be thankful for. This time last year, my mom, my brother, and I didn't have a home to call our own. We were so blessed to be living with my grandparents, but it really took a toll on each of us. We lost a sense of identity without our family home, and we had to learn how to become "home" to each other. This year, we now have a small home of our own, and while it may not be much, it's becoming a place of refuge. Never again will I take for granted a family dinner table. The saying that, "You never know how important something is until you lose it" is really true. There's nothing like a loss to help smack you in the face with the reality of something's true value. Though we have lost much, my family and I have gained so much that we never expected to. Our history has made me appreciate my mom and my brother so much more. They mean everything to me.

Anyways, I hope each of you had a wonderful holiday with family and friends. And remember, Christmas is just 29 days away! This season, I hope you'll remember what really brings joy in the holiday season. It's not about the actual day of Christmas. Relish each day leading up to the 25th of December. Gifts and expectations of the "perfect holiday" don't make meaningful memories; usually, it's the time spent with the ones you love, and it's the simple things, like lights on a tree and candy canes and a cheesy Chrismas song. Be blessed, and be at peace.