Being Thankful

By Charlotte Phillips

Over the past several years, it seems to be a trend on social media for people to post something they are thankful for everyday during the month of November. This year, the trend seems to be a bit different, though; more people seem to be counting down the days until 2020 is over.

Who can blame anyone for wanting this year to be over? Deaths at Mardi Gras parades, a global pandemic, racial injustices, the Iowa derecho, hurricanes, wildfires, clergy scandal in our own archdiocese, and the election.

What a year!

Even in our history-book-making year, there are still so many things to be thankful for. Here are just a few of the things I’m thankful for:

Family. Don’t get me wrong, there were days I wished everyone could be back at their respective schools and offices, but, overall, I loved all the extra family time we had during lockdown. We had a beautiful spring, so most afternoons we would take leisurely family walks or bike rides. It was nice not having to rush from one activity to the next.

Prayer. During lockdown we started saying decades of the rosary together at night before the kids went to bed. We don’t say the rosary nightly now that everyone is back in school, but a decade or two still makes its way into our prayer several times during the week.

Technology. We’ve been pretty conservative on the computer use for our kids, but I am so thankful they had apps to keep in touch with their friends over lockdown. We even celebrated two spring birthdays on Zoom! The internet also let them finish the end of their school year safely at home and has allowed my husband and me to work from home.

Even during our chaotic year, there are still so many things we can be thankful for.

What are you thankful for this year?