Holiday
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Thankful.

By: Jen Shoop

Happy Thanksgiving, Magpies!

I am deeply grateful for each of you and your companionship this trying year. I will specifically never (not ever! not ever ever!) forget your outpouring of kindness and support after I shared that I had contracted COVID earlier this year, and I have treasured your intellectual and emotional camaraderie on subjects as disparate as the uses of sorrow and the things we cared about at 18 (almost none of which matters now).

This is a weird year, and I know that most of us are spending the holidays not as we wish to, but as we must. Hang in there, pour an extra glass of champagne, put on that nap dress, and may God bless you and yours.

xxx

Jen

P.S. Our family Thanksgiving prayer — which always (!) brings a tear to my eye — is here. I know many of you have adopted this in your own families. I doubt I’ll be able to get through it this year in particular without crying.

P.P.S. If you’re looking for diversion (and/or are new here!), introduce yourself to the Magpie community here! I love reading these answers. So many interesting people read this blog.

P.P.P.S. If you want a total escape…

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10 thoughts on “Thankful.

  1. We spent Thanksgiving with our little household of four: myself, my husband, our toddler, and our baby. It was different than the first Thanksgiving that I would’ve imagined for our newest family member, but we gave it our all and it had it’s own sweetness. We also adopted your Thanksgiving prayer. Thank you so very much for sharing it.

    1. Hi Jean – I am so glad to hear that. It’s such a simple but powerful prayer.

      We also had a quiet but sweet Thanksgiving, just the four of us. I really spent a lot of time soaking up my children that day. It was definitely a holiday to remember — both because of its pronounced intimacy and also because it was difficult not to think about all the other families experiencing disruptions and losses this year. Thanks for sharing your experience, friend. xx

  2. I have tears reading your Thanksgiving prayer at 6 in the morning. I have tears for the more than 260,000 families that will have an empty spot at their table. But I am thankful for the love of my tiny family this year and am hopeful for brighter days ahead.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

    1. Hi Bente – Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. You nailed exactly my sentiments this year, and with regards to that prayer. The 260,000+ families who will read that prayer so differently this year…it is such a sad time.

      xx

  3. I am thankful for your blog. It is the highlight of my day in this turbulent time.
    Using your prayer today (again)
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your Magpie family!

  4. Happy thanksgiving, Jen! I am indeed thankful for the little shot of grownup conversation (with you AND your readers) that your blog provides in the midst of my kid-centered day. I hope we can all find a little peace with the circumstances of our celebrations today, even if they aren’t the usual – or even plan B or plan C at this point!

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