Health & Fitness
In a Tough Season, Still Much to Be Thankful For
The freak winter storm has disrupted our collective moods and schedules, but there is still much to be thankful for.
This month has been a rough one in the Farmington Valley. The storm knocked out power for days on end and knocked us all of our schedules. Halloween was the lost holiday and now, all of a sudden, Thanksgiving has been thrust upon us.
It's been a little tough to get in the mood when you're still restocking your fridge and freezer. It's even tougher when you're piling fallen brush in your yard
But even with all the goings on, I had the opportunity to go to the Interfaith Town-wide Thanksgiving Service in Simsbury on Sunday evening at First Church of Christ. I wasn't seeking it out, but our kids were asked to participate in the joint children's choir, so we decided to go.
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And not to get too sappy, but I must confess that I enjoyed it and it got me into the spirit of the holiday quite quickly. There were inspirational songs sung and inspiring words by various clergy.
A loud cymbal crashed at one point as if to wake the community from its shared malaise. It reminded me of way the shofar is blown on the Jewish Holiday of Yom Kippur. Wake up and get moving!
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Heck, there was even a rousing version of America the Beautiful that everyone sang with the choir.
By the end of the service, you could feel a collective weight off our shoulders and a renewed sense of purpose.
Yes, this month has been rough. And yes, there is still work to be done.
But we SURVIVED. And we will be stronger because of what we have gone through. There is so much to still be thankful for.
We talked with our neighbors. We helped each other out. Some of us even stayed with friends and family during the power outage (and perhaps overstayed our welcome there too).
It's hard to remember a time in our recent history where we all shared such a common bond. No matter our background or our position, we were all affected and we could all relate to each other.
So, as I sit down to eat some turkey, and watch some football, and bond with family, I'm going to take a bigger moment than usual to pause and express sincere gratitude in life's circumstance.
I know I won't be the only one.
Happy Thanksgiving.
