To say 2020 has been a challenging year would be an understatement. Everything from vacations and relocations have been put on hold, and what used to be a mundane trip to the grocery store now feels like walking through a landmine. And those are just the “small” things. Yes, it’s easy to focus on all that’s gone wrong this year – for us and/or countless others we hear about each day. We say that’s why it’s even more important than ever to count our blessings this Thanksgiving.
- Video Chats: Anyone who has been working remotely knows that “Zoom fatigue” is real. But when we stop and think of all it has made possible this year – from interviews and meetings to even dates and virtual wine tastings – we’ll see what a blessing it truly is. This holiday season, video conferencing will make it possible for us to come “face-to-face” with loved ones across the street or across the miles. We’ll be able to play games, compare feasts, or go around the “room” saying what we’re thankful for. We can swap volunteering ideas (virtual and -in-person) for the holiday season, and record our virtual holiday parties for posterity or to send to those who can’t make the live event.
- The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade has only been cancelled three times in its nearly century-long history – 1942,1943 and 1944 – when there was a helium shortage because of World War II. Thankfully, 2020 won’t become the fourth. In true New York style, the parade’s producers have gone all-out, even incorporating performances from other New York City parades – the St. Patrick’s Day parade; the Pride March; the Puerto Rican Day parade; the West Indian parade and the Mermaid parade – that were called off during the pandemic. Those longing for Broadway will get a taste of “Hamilton”; “Jagged Little Pill”; “Mean Girls”; and “Ain’t Too Proud.” Sure, things will be different – the parade route will be much shorter and the floats will be pulled by vehicles rather than people; no one, other than perhaps a few stragglers, will be watching from the sidelines. But on that morning, tens of millions across the country will be able to tune into the parade on TV and know that one of our most beloved holiday traditions will go on.
- The unsung heroes of home delivery. We don’t usually think much about the people who bring our packages or takeout meals. Now these brave souls have become our lifelines, making sure we have what we need when we feel unsafe going to stores and restaurants.
- Fewer gatherings mean fewer political arguments (and fewer calls and texts of apology the following day). And, as most people will be celebrating with friends and relatives they see regularly, they probably will have already “duked it out” before the turkey arrives on the table!
- And last but certainly not least, our health. This is one of those cliches we rarely think much about. Now, with everyone’s wellness threatened, we realize that our health – and that of our loved ones – is not just our most fragile possession, but the only one that really matters.
