By Michelle Rich Goode | November 23, 2022
I have a pillow that reads “Enjoy the little things.” I love that pillow as it is a reminder of how in each day brings blessings if we choose to look for them. As I reflect on Thanksgiving in 2021, I enjoyed time away from my home in Virginia to visit my NC family and help my youngest sister prepare Thanksgiving dinner for other family members who were unable to be at her house on Thanksgiving. It was indeed a special time, and we enjoyed making everyone’s favorite foods.
On Thanksgiving morning, I took what we had prepared the previous day to my hometown to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with my mother, my sister, Frankie, and brother, Harold, who were then Mother’s primary caregivers. Since her 94th July birthday, Mama was now in a wheelchair and too infirmed to travel outside the home as her decline from dementia worsened. Her last Thanksgiving meal with 3 of her grown children was special in its own way. She was then able to feed herself and enjoyed the food. By Christmas that had changed, and we had now been blessed with Hospice care as well as other care givers supplemented by us 4 siblings as well as her grandchildren and at their spouses.
2022 has proven to be a challenging year for many reasons in addition to COVID. My brother died suddenly on January 9th after being in a traffic collision two days prior to his death. His absence left a void for our family, though Mama was unaware of his passing, yet another blessing. I personally received over 100 cards and other expressions of sympathy during that time from family and friends, (many of whom are RCR clients that knew him), that still warm my heart.
On June 17th Mother passed a peaceful death with her 3 daughters and extended family giving her care with the guidance and direction from Hospice. It was a gift to support her every need in this time of transition. She was ready, as her life caring for all of us, and many others, was no longer possible. Many friends and family members again shared comfort and consolation that still give us comfort as we experience “first times” without Harold and Mama.
This year, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, I am grateful for all the past Thanksgivings that gave us lasting memories when we gathered, holding hands, and sharing what each of us considered their greatest blessing of the year before sharing the Thanksgiving dinner. My greatest blessing this year is in remembering those simple things that brought comfort and care. There is great suffering in the world today on many levels. Many of my closest friends are suffering from various illnesses and deaths. Giving comfort to friends during times of need is the greatest gift we can give to each other especially during this time of year when we have so much for which to be grateful.
Since founding RCR in 1989, Thanksgiving has been a time to express our gratitude to our valued clients and friends for the opportunity of assisting them with their office space needs. I continue to share in our collective expressions of gratitude and wish everyone a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!
