Thanksgiving 2020

Ivanna Olenchin — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 15:24:14 +0000

Thanksgiving 2020 - 5 things to be grateful for this year

Thanksgiving 2020 is upon us. I don’t know about others, but I clearly remember being thankful in many, many moments this year.

So today, will be the day to remind myself of each and every little miracle that happened. Let me start by quoting the final note from the 2019 Thanksgiving Article:

“Finally, Remember to Thank God for His good blessings and the future, which will only bring new things to be grateful for.”

Did 2020 bring new things to be grateful for?

This year, first and foremost, We must Thank God for His Blessings. We must thank Jesus for His sacrifice. We must thank the Holy Mother for her guidance and grace. We must thank out guardian angels for protecting us when we loose focus.

Let’s take a moment to remember Holodomor of 1932-33 in Ukraine. The people who lived during this time experienced terror and loss beyond anything we can comprehend: the darkness that surrounded them, the prayers unanswered. Today we must feel the great blessing to be living in this time. Most of us have never experienced a real war, or serious losses of freedom – we are that generation that lived mostly in a place of peace and opportunity grow.

Here are just 5 things to be grateful for this year:

1. ESSENTIAL WORKERS

These men and women had to do their job which usually included a massive amount of risk for them and their families. They did their jobs to keep the rest of us comfortable and safe. This year could have been much worse. Thank you to everyone for sticking through this difficult time, Thank you dearly.

2. TECHNOLOGY

School, work, church, Dr. Appointments, Meetings, Dancing… all virtual, and people of all ages adapted. How often did you use the word “virtual” before 2020? Today, it’s in our daily vocabulary. I personally am thankful for technology in general. It is simple to learn almost anything. Also for those who get lonely, they are technically never alone, unless we want to be. Still, we are faced with loneliness and lack of social interaction during this pandemic, but technology has made it somewhat bearable.

3. Everything that helps fulfill our PURPOSE

This could be anyone or anything that has helped you directly or indirectly realize and bring your purpose to fruition.

Could be family – your children or parents. This could be your priest, an advisor, a boss, or a good friend. This could be our government, (What?! No!) But think about it, whether federal, state or city, the government systems have supported its citizens. There were grants, loans, and special programs for businesses, non-profits and other establishments. People went through hard times, but they were still provided something to keep afloat. So let us be thankful for that.

4. FREEDOM
and the U.S. Constitution

All this use of technology: creating accounts and doing everything online has definitely lowered our expectations of privacy rights , and unfortunately, we don’t have other choices now. Even pleading not guilty for a speeding ticket, court is done online. The use of masks, travel restrictions, and the possible vaccine mandates are very sensitive issues in our country right now, and everyone has a different opinion. But at least we have the freedom to have those opinions and voice them. We are free to practice our religion, to vote for the government, bear arms, and most importantly speak our minds. So let be grateful for that Constitution that gives us these rights.

5. Compassion and
LOVE

If even reading this article makes you judge who I am, try not to. Be empathetic, put yourself in the other person’s shoes.

Find God in your heart, and the moment you do, judgement, anger, jealousy and other negative feelings will disappear. Find the compassion that Jesus had on the cross, when he prayed “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” He asked God to forgive those who put him there. When we act with love and compassion, we will not need the government to control our movement and set mandates because we will voluntarily protect our neighbor. We will wear those masks, we will stay home when sick, and we will help those less fortunate.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Now is the time, more than ever, to love and respect one another. Listen to other opinions without judging the values of the person. Take an extra step voluntarily to do good deeds – even if that good deed looks differently today than it did last year.

This Thursday, as you sit at the table and say what you are thankful for, imagine the day we no longer have to wear masks, worry about our health, and hear or read negativity about others. Imagine that next year, we will be grateful for the miraculous unity, love, and understanding that took place in 2021.

From the Providence Association of Ukrainian Catholics, wishing God’s continued blessings for you and your family this Thanksgiving.

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