Thanksgiving

What are we actually giving thanks for?

Thanksgiving is a tradition that has raised certain controversy in recent years due to the oppression and bloodshed of Native Americans by European settlers that it is associated with. It is especially surrounded with mixed emotions this year because of the current bloodshed and oppression we are witnessing daily.

I am from England and had not celebrated Thanksgiving until I moved to America to be with my husband. Thanksgiving happens to be his favourite holiday, which is due to the association with celebrating with loved ones, showing gratefulness, and enjoyment he experienced growing up. Since I moved to America, we have been unable to celebrate with his family in his hometown, for one reason or another so I try and make it an enjoyable day for him any way I can.

In our household, we try and make sure we celebrate and verbalise the things we are thankful for, and reflect on our lives thus far. The atrocities going on in the world make me more conscious of our privileges also. As grateful as I am for a safe place to be and for the ability to spend time with my family, I also grieve. I grieve for those who don’t have access to water. I grieve for those who don’t know when their next meal will be or remember when their last meal was. I grieve for those who have lost all of their family. I grieve for those who have nowhere to call home anymore.

So this year, I have been more conscious of being present with my children. I am putting actions in place to practice gratitude and peace. I am trying to improve myself by doing more to feed the greatness in myself and by doing so, hopefully bringing positivity to my family, my relationships and the world.

I give thanks to everything I get to experience in this life. I give thanks to all who are supporting me and have chosen to take this journey with me. Thank you all.