These are hard times for everyone right now, but I’m asking you to dig deep in your heart, and look for places that still hold thanks. As the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us, there IS so much to be grateful for. For our family, this includes, a roof over our heads, food on the table and a safe and healthy family. And these are just the obvious ones. I often share pictures of our kiddos because their smiles are infectious, and there is a tremendous amount of innocence and hope they embody.
At the start of the pandemic, a dear friend sent me this video to help put things into perspective, so months later, I share this with you. Please watch, “The Great Realisation,” with Tom Foolery.
Recently, a ban was put in place to limit indoor gatherings to just those who live in your respective households. There have been a lot of grumbles out there due to this mandate, but I’m asking you to take on a different perspective. A new lens to see the beauty that’s right in front of you, and perhaps think of those who are less fortunate this holiday season. Maybe you haven’t been affected by covid on a personal level, but I implore you to think about the millions who have. To the children who have lost a parent, or grandparent. To the neighbor who is currently in the hospital on a ventilator fighting for her life. To the healthy 38 man who lost his life because he didn’t think it could happen to him. To the countless nurses, doctors, first responders who are exhausted day after day fighting this endless battle because people still do not take this seriously. You are my HEROS, and there aren’t enough thank yous in the world to express our gratitude toward you.
Yes, hope is on the horizon as there are promising vaccines within medical grasp for emergency distribution. Please stop banking on the vaccine, so you can recklessly keep resuming your normal activities at the risk of putting the fate of someone else’s life to chance. It’s really not a lot to ask to stay home with your family. If you’re fortunate enough to stay home with your family this Thursday, hug them tight, and hold them close. Not everyone has that same luxury. Love hard with a grateful heart.
If you have the means to have a nice meal on Thanksgiving, consider donating to those who are food insecure. Now more than ever, they need our help. Foodbanks have seen a surge in more families due to the pandemic, and Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, The River Food Pantry, and MOM are all accepting donations.
If you won’t be cooking this year, here’s a roundup of local restaurants offering curbside pickup. Help support your favorite local restaurant:
Quivey’s Grove, Merchant, Montey’s Blue Plate Diner, Essen Haus, The Edgewater, Cadre, Bloom, Baked Lab, Brasserie V, Breannan’s, El Dorado Grill, Eno Vino, Madison Club, and L’ Etoile. For a full list, please click HERE.
Lastly, I leave you with an open letter from UW Health. Please take time to read this. It speaks for itself.
An Open Letter to the People of Wisconsin
