Thanksgiving is one of those days that I usually look over…I go for turkey, tell everyone “Happy gobble gobble”, and move on. Rarely have I ever sat and actually thought of what I’m thankful for…
In fact, for many years I wasn’t able to think of anything I was thankful for (ok yes, I know that’s sad, as in I should have been able to at least think of a few things!), and I actually looked on Thanksgiving as a day of annoyance.
This year my family spent the day with a woman who in the last week lost her husband. This year we got to celebrate with this woman the first Thanksgiving she’s ever had free from abuse.
She’ll be 72 next month, and since childhood she’s been abused. Married at 16 to a physical, religious, sexual, financial, and mental abuser. Got rid of him and ended up with a financial, religious and mental abuser.
For the last few years she’s hardly been able to see her own children because her husband didn’t like them. She barely knows her only granddaughter because he wouldn’t let that part of the family come over for some unknown slight. Family that she hasn’t talked to in 8yrs have come over and called her, letting her know that they are there for her. For the last few years we watched from a distance as she grew older faster before our eyes, and the lights in her eyes growing dim…
The abuse was not hidden, everyone in the family and of the friends knew that there was mental abuse and alcoholism going on, yet it was her decision to stay…
Those of us that have been through abuse can understand that all too well. Thankfully she was able to stay and make it through the other side, and for that I’m Thankful.
This day brings up mixed feelings about past, family, and those that our family has lost to DV. Makes me think of other families that have lost loved ones, and other families who has a family member still stuck in a DV situation. Know that our prayers go out to you all!
As for this year…I’m thankful I was able to be present on this woman’s first Thanksgiving of freedom ever. I am thankful to have seen that twinkle in her eye and quirkiness come back, even it if was fleeting. I’m thankful that she can now get to know her only granddaughter, and reconnect with family and friends that have missed knowing her for years. I’m thankful that I’ll be around to help her when I can and watch her heal and blossom and enjoy the few last years that she has in freedom and peace…
Do you have any special Thanksgiving Blessings that’s just too good not to share? We’d love to hear of them!
