After my divorce, Thanksgiving was an emotional trigger. Dividing the holidays with my ex became the unwelcome norm. I felt so much emptiness without my children, I just wanted to escape! Honestly, I wondered if I would ever love the holidays again.
Then, many years later, I met my current husband, David. Early on, he learned that the holidays were a major trigger for me. Taking matters into his own hands, he turned a negative in my life into a positive: After eight months of dating, he proposed to me on Thanksgiving Day in front of our parents. I am forever grateful for this life-changing gift of love.
Now, I can’t take responsibility for this change in my narrative; I give full credit to my husband for putting an end to the cycle of negativity. But there are still difficult moments during the holidays, too. It’s just not the same waking up on Christmas Day without kids around, those years that they spend Christmas morning with their dad. But David created a beautiful memory out of something incredibly painful, and has inspired our family to move forward in establishing new traditions.
Today, Thanksgiving is about love and new beginnings. Yet, for so many, the holidays continue to be difficult and lonely, especially when there has been loss through death or divorce. Thankfully, there are so many great resources with tips on coping through the holiday season.
