Thanksgiving. (In America, anyway!) The time when I ponder the many blessings I’ve received in my life this year.
But let’s be honest here. Because…2020.
#AmIRight??
I am at the point now where any time new…trials…crop up, that’s my answer. Because 2020.
And 2020 has been a doozy for us here at the Kastner home, especially these last couple of months. My husband was already in the high-risk category for COVID and we’ve been self-quarantining since the whole virus thing started.
Then Joe went from getting IV antibiotics at the ER for an open wound to spending a week in the hospital for his allergic response to said antibiotics. Two weeks later he was loaded into an ambulance and headed back to the ER because of something he picked up at the hospital. A highly contagious bacterial infection which would usually require another stay in the hospital for…you guessed it…IV antibiotics. This actually sounds rather humorous now that I’m writing it and seeing the circular path, though in truth it’s anything but.
But…2020.
And COVID. The hospital doesn’t have room for non-COVID patients. So, they sent Joe home to live out a quarantine within a quarantine. He’s not allowed to leave the bedroom. I have to be wearing a mask, gloves, and shoes when I bring him food and have been relegated to the room where my grandson stays when he has overnights. Let’s just say his bed is playing major havoc with my back and the extra cleaning is for the birds.
I’m bone tired. And I’m cranky. It’s hard to find my creativity to write. And I’ll admit that this year I’m grasping to find the joy and excitement that this time of year ought to bring. I’m calling it my grrr-attitude.
But you know what? Maybe that’s okay. Because…2020 has been tough for a great number of people. Some of us are holding on by our fingernails. And when we’re at that point, where do we (hopefully) turn for comfort and answers?
God.
And at the end of the day, isn’t that what it’s all about? Even in 2020.
Wishing you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving (for all you Americans out there!)
If you find yourself so troubled and disturbed that you cannot find peace,
turn immediately to prayer like our Lord in the garden.
~Bl Clelia Merloni
~~Love Courageously~~ Publisher's Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of 30 novels, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational western stories set in small communities. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith as a natural and genuine part of her characters' lives. Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and a pack of miscreant mutts. She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors are her fav), singing in the church choir, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
This year has been quite a ride. Unbelievably so.
Wow it has been hard for you. I can understand the trials at the moment are challenging. I agree We have God and know he’s in charge. This year for me I have learnt more about my pain and many more of the triggers which has been helpful.
I look back in history and we have had other plagues and pandemics and they do end. I am sure we will learn a lot from this time and hopefully we will grow.
I do feel for you as being isolated really does take its toll. Praying for you both.
Hi Deb, your story makes me feel so concerned for you and Joe. I pray he recovers quickly and the double quarantine can end., I can imagine it’s hard for you to find anything to be thankful for., hence the grrr. But Father God understands and He’s with you in the circumstances.
We don’t have the celebration of Thanksgiving in Australia, but I am a firm believer in cultivating an attitude of gratitude.
Deb, thanks for sharing those thoughts. It is hard to be grateful when bad things are happening. Prayers that next year will be a much better year. I especially like the quote at the end.
Your family has been in my prayers 🙏
We’ve been praying for you and Joe. Remember there is also grrrrace! Love you, girl.
Oh, Deb, I can soooo relate!!! As I was handling things with Mom’s prescription drug insurance, I told the guy I was on the phone with that they were going to drive me to drink! I’ve never drank alcohol, but boy, they’d be the ones to drive me to it! Your post also made me think of the book I’m reading and discussing with friends, Life Interrupted by Priscilla Shirer, based on the book of Jonah. How we should look at life’s interruptions as divine interventions. Praying for you and all of the Inspy authors!!
Hi Deb, Continued Prayers Coming for You and Joe Hope You have a Happy Thanksgiving! 2020 has been so hard on so many this year I Thank The Good Lord everyday For all My Family and My great friends I have Hugs and Blessing coming to You!
Deb I’m so sorry about what you and your husband are goin through! I’ll pray for you both to find healing and peace. And I hope 2021 wil be grrrrreat!
Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.
I will be praying for you and your husband. This crazy year has reinforced what I have known and been taught all along and it is to Not take Anything or Anybody for granted. May you and your family have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
Hasn’t it, though? A serious rollercoaster with no end in sight. Hang in there!
It’s good that you’ve learned your pain triggers. Anything helps and it’s important. I’m kind of a homebody but just being told I can’t go out is enough to make me stir crazy. Go figure. As you say, this too shall pass.
I’ve been trying to find something for which to be grateful every day and write it in my goal planner. It helps to focus on the good.
I totally understand that. its the knowing you cant go out that makes us want to go out. Where as normally it isn’t an issue. I hope people are keeping in contact with your.
The quote actually showed up in a text message as I was writing the blog post. It really seemed to fit my thoughts.
Thanks, Paula!
Thanks, Val. It’s a good reminder that God’s grace is greater than everything!
I think that’s really the point–to search for God’s plan in all of this and knowing He has one. We all appreciate your prayers!
Happy Thanksgiving! 2020 has been a wrecking ball for so many. It makes us appreciate our family and friends even more, doesn’t it, when we aren’t allowed to gather together.
Thanks, Laurie! I’m praying for better times for all.
Back at you, Lucy!
Good point, Alicia. We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. Wishing you Thanksgiving blessings!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Praying for you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sorry for the late entry. Oh my, Deb. I’ve been participating in a grief group and one of the things they talk about is secondary grief. We lose a loved one (or in your case a loved one’s health) but then there are all these other things that go with!
Father, I lift up the Kastners to you for hope and joy and peace that passes all understanding. May Your Spirit fill their hearts and surprise them with the delight of Your presence. May they have a deep and abiding comfort in the knowledge that Your care for them is more intense now that the trials are more intense. Please show them some incontrovertible something that will assure them of Your loving provision. Thank You for Your love for them and for us all. Amen.
Like the old timer said, “The Good Book say so. All these things has come to pass. Ain’t none of ’em come to stay!”
Yeah, 2020 is not one I will look back on fondly! It already interrupted our Thanksgiving plans, we always go to my sister-in-law’s for 4-5 days to have our meal & family time. Well she called to say she’s been in direct contact with someone with a positive Covid test, so we decided to cancel our plans. We don’t get to see her as a family very often since we live so far away and not having that time just really messes with a person. I know this isn’t as serious as someone who struggles with health issues or who ends up in the hospital for one reason or another, but it’s just as heartbreaking for me.
I’m so over 2020!