Friend, I See You This Thanksgiving

Dear friend whose partner left this earth this year, but whose family demands that traditions continue,

Traditions like turkey and pie and smiling and getting out of bed,

I see you wanting to shout,

“Doesn’t ‘tradition’ mean doing things the way they’ve been done before?

Well, that will be impossible.

Things cannot be the same.

The most important person in my life is gone.”

I hear that shout, even as you stifle it for the crowd, while you

eat turkey and pie and smile and get out of bed.

Because, “that’s what we do on Thanksgiving!”

Friend, I see you.

Dear friend whose partner’s health is declining,

Who knows that the week ahead will bring procedures, hospitalization, unknown outcomes.

Who, today, clings to turkey and pie and smiling and getting out of bed,

because if today lasts forever, then perhaps tomorrow will not come.

Who squeezes every ounce of goodness out of this day of festivity, because this is what people who don’t have hospitalization looming do.

They eat turkey and pie and smile and get out of bed.

Tomorrow’s schedule will look nothing like that of the general public,

which means that today you do everything you can to be as normal as possible.

Friend, I see you.

Dear friend whose partner is in the hospital,

Who will wrap up a plate of turkey and pie and carry it through the abandoned lobby of the hospital,

past the darkened coffee shop, through the quiet halls,

knowing full well that the quiet here means that at homes around the area people are with their families,

gathered around tables, eating turkey that is warm and pie that is fresh.

These people have the option of taking a day off from this hospital,

but not you.

Your beloved is here,

and therefore,

so are you,

paper plate in hand, with turkey and pie.

And before you enter the room you’ll put on a smile,

happy to see your love,

but wishing it wasn’t here.

Friend, I see you.

Dear friend whose beloved partner, child, friend, parent is missing today,

YES, I’m sure there are things in your life for which to be thankful

AND

you get to say, today, and any other day you want:

THIS IS TERRIBLE. I MISS MY PERSON. NOTHING IS THE SAME WITHOUT THEM.

If, today, or any day, it feels good and helpful to look for and list those things that are positive,

please do.

And know that today, in the storm of “I’m thankful for…” posts, tweets, and greeting cards,

you can say, think, feel, know, that

THIS IS TERRIBLE. I MISS MY PERSON. NOTHING IS THE SAME WITHOUT THEM.

Friend, I see you and we miss them too.

Dear friends who have hard things,

I see you today.

I see you getting out of bed, smiling, and eating turkey and pie.

I see you thinking about who sat in that chair last year at this time.

I see you watching your beloved with concern about what will happen between now and next Thanksgiving, wondering if this will be the last.

I see you being asked how things are, and giving answers that only scratch the surface,

so that this doesn’t go down as the Thanksgiving that you cried in your potatoes and made things awkward.

I see you using all of your energy to smile, make small talk, act as if all is well.

I see you excusing yourself to the bathroom when a comment is made that for reasons no one but you would understand, unleashes emotions that you’re trying so hard to keep zipped up for the day.

I see you.

I love you.

I know that all that hangs out in your negative space may not be welcome or comfortable at your Thanksgiving table today,

but know that today, and always,

it is safe here with me.

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15 Responses

  1. Even though we weren’t together on this Thanksgiving or Christmas, you were always on my mind and this year will be even more special and I know that you will be with all of us. Love you.

  2. I’m awake when I shouldn’t be with the darkness of the world around and within me. I needed this. Still can’t sleep, but thankful to have found you.

    1. Ilene,
      I’m glad you found your way here. Even if it doesn’t bring much-needed sleep, I hope it brings you comfort and I pray that your body and soul get the restorative rest they need soon. <3

  3. My beautiful Jack 24. Harry your brother and I got throught this day ..just barely with friends. This is our first holiday without you. We know you are with us, just not …

  4. My beautiful spirited daughter, had her "last hit" of fetanyl and died on October 5th. She was 23 … every breath feels like the shrapnel of greif cuts through my otherwise sunny disposition. I am frozen, and tears have their way with me. I made dinner, set a delightful dinner, and I’m too angry to pray … too sad to care.
    Yet tomorrow, I’ll face my sweet kindergarten class … ready for three weeks before the next season of sorrow.
    Thank you.

    1. Oh my dear friend, Your sorrow comes pouring through your words. Thank you for sharing your truth with me here. I pray that the energy and buoyancy of your kindergartners bring even a touch of lightness to your days. Sending love to you. <3

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