Turkey With a Side of Tears

Surviving the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved One

It’s that wonderful time of year again. This time of year is for family, making memories, and showing love, all things I love doing. However, due to the pandemic, I’m sure these special holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas will look different than any other year. For many of us, we’ll be sharing our thanksgiving meal with immediate family only or a small group of close friends instead of a large gathering. Unfortunately for many of us, we will be gathering to share a meal with the reality that a loved one so near and dear to us has passed on earlier this year.

We have all experienced so much loss, some more than others. Many friends and family members have crossed over to the other side, leaving us here to pick up the pieces and try to go on. But truthfully speaking, your holiday as you know it has changed forever. The contributions of the individuals we have loved and lost will no longer be a part of our holiday rituals. It’s heartbreaking, to say the least.

We may be wondering, “how can we go on? How can we possibly have a good time? Why did God choose to take someone we needed so soon?” While I don’t have the answers to these questions, I admonish you to ask God. Question him because He has all the answers, and He is willing and open to hearing your thoughts and concerns.

Despite the confusion and sadness we may feel on Thanksgiving Day, I am challenging each of us to find something to be grateful for. For me, I am acknowledging God’s goodness and grace he has shown me. I am thankful for all the time and memories God allowed me to share with my loved ones who have passed away. I am thankful that he put such amazingly beautiful people in my life, even if it was just for a short while.

I am thankful that he has allowed me to come this far and not contract Covid-19. I am thankful that he healed and kept my family and friends who had Covid-19. I am thankful for the breath in my body. I am thankful to have clothes to wear and shelter over my head. I am thankful that I still have my job. I am thankful to still have my sanity. All and all, I am thankful that whatever challenges this year has brought, God has kept me through them all and is still keeping me. I’m getting excited just writing all the things I am thankful for.

Through your sorrow and tears, this Thanksgiving, try to give thanks. I pray for all those who are grieving, and I pray for your holidays to get better. Here’s a song that expresses my greatest sentiment in this season https://youtu.be/vIPKnj-0Czw