An 'Unhappy' Thanksgiving: Embracing Gratitude Amidst Grief

What if Thanksgiving doesn't have to be a full-throttle, joy-filled celebration? What if it's okay to shuffle the traditions, to feel a little less than festive, especially when you're wrestling with grief or loneliness? 

This episode is a heart-to-heart conversation, acknowledging that it's absolutely fine to have an 'Unhappy' Thanksgiving. 

We challenge the idea that gratitude must be monumental, instead, inviting you to celebrate the seemingly small things you are grateful for. And above all, we remind you that love is still very much alive.

As always, Widow Your Way ❤️

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:37

Hey friends, I know it's been a while, but don't worry, I'll be back soon. But I wanted to take a moment to say happy Thanksgiving, even though some may not be so happy, and I wanted to let you know that it's okay to have an unhappy Thanksgiving. If you are forcing yourself to put a smile on your face and pretend everything is okay, but feeling miserable inside, don't go. If sitting at home alone and crying is going to make you feel even more miserable, then go. But what if you feel both? These are not your only options. I want you to take a moment to think about what's going to make you the happiest on Thanksgiving. Do that instead Change things up to something different. Right now I'm having an unhappy Thanksgiving this year, but one thing that I thought would bring me joy is helping my son celebrate his first Thanksgiving in his new home, with him actually cooking his own turkey. I'm going to be showing him how to make my husband Tom's favorite dishes, so that way he can start making his own Thanksgiving traditions.

Speaker 1: 2:11

I know it's hard sometimes for widows to find joy in the holiday season, especially if you're a new widow. But take it from a seasoned widow Look for something that brings you joy. It's there deep down. You're probably even thinking about it right now, but you're just too scared to say it out loud or you probably even feel bad for just thinking it. Don't do that instead. So, to end this, I'm just going to ask you to tell me three things that you're grateful for. I'll wait. It's okay if you didn't get to three. It's okay if you only had one.

Speaker 1: 3:07

I remember when I first started thinking about what I was grateful for. Sometimes I just couldn't get past one thing, and then I felt horrible because, gosh, how can I only find one thing in this entire world to be grateful for? And then it would be something silly like coffee. But that's okay. Being grateful doesn't always have to be about big, important things in life. Sometimes it can just be a simple cup of coffee. So for me, this year for Thanksgiving, I am grateful to be alive. I am grateful to have the love and support of my family and my friends, but most of all, in a world of so many uncertainties in life, I am grateful that love is not dead. It's just my husband.