I know how difficult holidays can be. Many Thanksgivings, I have spent away from the cramped kitchen. I stayed in another part of the house because the noise was overwhelming for my daughter. The crowd was just too much for her.
How do I get through it with a smile on my face? I count my blessings. Thanksgiving is a really great time for doing that.
Yes, it stinks when I can’t have real conversations with family. Yes, my daughter needs my help in the bathroom every half hour. Yes, I feel that ache in my gut when I look across the room. I see all the “normal” cousins my daughter’s age interacting with each other. Meanwhile, my kid is whimpering in a corner of the room by herself with her iPad and her 10th cup of soda. Yes, I keep misplacing my glass of wine when I have to get up continually to chase my daughter somewhere and make sure she is safe. Yes, my food is cold by the time I make my plate. And yes, I am the first to leave. I get moving when I see my daughter is about a minute away from a meltdown.
This Thanksgiving is different. My daughter and son will be with my ex-husband and his family for the holiday. We alternate years. I hate the off years when they are not with me. No matter what, I always want them with me. But I am grateful they get to spend quality time with their dad. And I try to focus on the positive: I’ll be able to have those conversations. I’ll be able to sit and relax. I’ll be part of the crowd instead of looking over from afar.
And I count my blessings. I am blessed to have had a beautiful lunch today with my kids before they headed to their dad’s house. My daughter happily scarfed down her favorite fettuccine Alfredo with a side of mashed potatoes and a diet coke. My son caught me up on the latest at his job. He told me about the concerts he and his buddies plan to see soon.
I am blessed to have beautiful children who are healthy, happy and adored. I am blessed to have a large family with a corny sense of humor that loves and embraces us. I am blessed to have an amazing husband who is my best friend. He is also my designated driver when I feel like having that third glass of wine.
Some years, counting our blessings feels impossible. I know; I’ve been there. But please trust me. It’s better to count our blessings than to soak in our sadness.
Try it. Try to enjoy your holiday.
Good luck and cheers,
Stacie
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