On this Thanksgiving, more than any other, I find myself reflecting on what it means to be thankful. Even through all the turmoil of this year, there is so much I am thankful for, both big and small. I am thankful that my parents are doing well; for having dear and trusted friends; for my life.
The sad truth is that we usually don’t realize what is important until it is gone. Perhaps this is just the busyness of life. A friend once told me that being truly thankful requires pause and reflection and an understanding of why you are thankful. The passing of my brother was one of those moments; thankful for the good memories together but also one filled with regrets. Regret for words not spoken, trips not taken, and times not shared. It was a sense of real loss. And even though I am making an effort to spend more time with my parents, when they pass, I think I may feel the same way. Even with these regrets, I am humbled and thankful for them. It opened me to a new kind of gratitude, a new kind of courage, a new kind of wisdom. It made me much more aware of myself, life, and the desire to carry forward and make a difference. It was the beginning of Red String.
We all aspire to be good people and we do not always make the mark. We experience. We succeed. We fail. We reflect. We rethink. We learn. We move forward. We grow, change, and sometimes make amends. It is what makes us human. Even though you may not be able to spend this Thanksgiving with family and friends, make an effort, on this Thanksgiving, and every day to come, to take time to take stock of what really matters to you. You will be all the more thankful for it.
Wishing you and yours a happy and safe Thanksgiving.