Every year around this time I touch on the topic of Thanksgiving in the Newsletter, as the last Saturday in May is the National Day of Thanksgiving.

When we look back on 2020 so far, with the devastating bushfires, and then the upheaval and sorrow of so many lives lost with Covid-19, it can make the most optimistic and resilient of us feel a sense of grief, loss and despair, all of which are totally normal and appropriate responses.

It’s also a time to stop and count our blessings, and encourage our children to do the same. It’s not to downplay the grief and loss, but a way to have hope and resilience for the future, and to be able to look after ourselves and to help those around us in need.

This week, take the time to talk with your children about the levels of things we have to be thankful for – within our own homes, within our immediate and extended family, within our local community, within our state, within our country. It’s amazing once you get started, the long list of things that we have to be thankful for. I’ve had many conversations over the past few months where people have said that they have appreciated having more time to rest and spend time at home with family rather than rushing around all the time.

There are many benefits to having an attitude of gratitude – see them all on this short clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCV-mEsASLA

Jenni Forder

Pastoral Care Worker