Being grateful in difficult times

For those facing difficult family situations, the holiday season is often met with dread. As we get older, losses can mount and make the holidays a reminder of those who are no longer with us. I grapple with this each holiday season, as my father died five days before Christmas 2011. Every holiday season since then has been tinged with grief.

It can feel impossible to feel gratitude as a family caregiver who may feel hopeless and trapped in their situations. I often felt resentment when I came across those pushing messages of gratitude during the holiday season. Now that I’ve had the space of several years since caring for my parents, I feel that a gratitude practice can be a useful self-care tool but only if one is genuine and not trying to force the issue.

Gratitude doesn’t have to be a list overflowing with positivity. It can be a testament to what makes your life worth living.

I hope your holidays will come with good family moments. Those happy memories can provide immense comfort during tougher times.

If you are looking for more reading material this holiday season, I’m participating in a giveaway via Prolific Works. You can get a copy of my award-winning personal essay collection, The Reluctant Caregiver, for free through December 15, 2023.

Image by Deborah Hudson from Pixabay.