Happy Thanksgiving

first off, Happy thanksgiving! 🦃

I guess this time of year is when we start the end of year reflection. Or at least I do anyway. This year has been one of the harder years in my life so far and the first year since 2008 I’ve really experienced loss. It’s been a year of up and downs and a few twists and turns and spirals. This year has taught how to ride the wave. With every up, there is a down. Every down is followed by an up. This year has challenged me unexpectedly with a few deaths of people (and pets) who are very important to me and my family. Being on the other side of the country was not the easiest thing and closure was hard to come by. Everything linked in some way. I’ve realized growing up entails growing through hard times and learning how to keep getting out of bed after something happens as your life feels like it is paused and everyone around is in fast forward. Eventually, you catch back up. Growing up means growing. It means coping. It means living through each wave. It means continuing to learn and continuing to take risks. I’ve learned you have to remain optimistic  but also allow yourself to grieve and to feel emotions. You can’t brush it under a rug. You have to deal with it. Grieving includes learning how to allow yourself to have Happy moments and enjoy the memories and not feel guilty for happy days shortly after a death.  I feel as though I’ve grown more this year than I have in recent years. 

When I started this post, I didn’t really know what I would write completely. How did I get from happy thanksgiving to here? Every challenge I’ve faced, every wave I’ve ridden have taught me how important it is to appreciate those around you. I’ve opened up where I haven’t before. I have let people in, and I have strengthened relationships with people who will be in my life for years to come. I am thankful to have the time I have to spend with my family (immediate and extended), my friends, and my dog. Really, those are all the same; they’re all family. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my life and those in it.