November 2016 is almost over and for that I am thankful. We survived an excruciating election, Thanksgiving dinner that hopefully didn't involve conversations about the election and a seemingly painless Black Friday. As I write to you in the back seat of the car in Atlanta traffic, I have been stuck on the thought of those who felt they had nothing to be thankful for this holiday season. Sometimes, as I excitedly pack for my grandmother's house every year for turkey and stuffing and quality time with my family, I forget that many people very close to me do not share the same feeling. Instead, they holidays are filled with tears and dread.
While growing up, I always assumed every person had a large, kind, loving family who got together every chance they could get and laughed and ate together, since that's what I experienced as a child. The adults got heated over their dramatic moments and political or religious arguments while the kids threw temper tantrums and fought over toys, but at the end of the day, we were sent home with a hug, kiss, and leftovers to feed us for a week. As I matured, lived on my own and began to truly experience adult life, I realized I grew up in what many would consider a fantasy land.
The homeless man I saw sitting on the side of the road on his blanket under a tree yesterday eating McDonald's for Thanksgiving dinner with his head hanging low in shame, loneliness and heartbreak is a moment I'll always recall from now on when I should take a step back and count my blessings....and a moment I'll remember when I need to practice having empathy toward others. Another aspect of this past holiday that disappointed me is that too many friends and acquaintances on my social media outlets were lonely, broken and sad and merely needed human interaction on a day we all assume everyone is joyful and content. I just want to give everyone a hug and scream at the top of my lungs how thankful at least one human being is for your existence.
This year for the holidays, no matter how you celebrate or who you celebrate with, remember to let everyone in your life know how thankful you are. Not just for friendship and love, but for somehow and in some way they changed your life for the better. You never know who may be thankful for you or whose lives you have touched, especially at a time of year we seem to forget can be so lonely.
