Gratitude
honey girl
Registrant
Dear All,
One of the coolest things about this site is that it connects people from all over the world. We may not be very aware of what the rhythms of life are in other places--I know I am not, unless I have an active tie with someone there--so it's quite likely that people outside the U.S. are not familiar with the late-November Thanksgiving holiday here, which happened the day before yesterday.
I realize that many posters here, myself included, often feel ambivalent about holidays. They're often a time of loss and regret--at the very least. Lots of pressure, lots of sadness, lots of painful associations. That is all very true for many of us, and I do not mean to minimize that.
Still, this year, for the first time I can ever remember, I was able to feel sincere gratitude for many aspects of my life today.
As difficult as the path is that I am walking, I am grateful to know that other people are on it to lead the way and to offer help when needed. I am grateful for the support of posters here, who have been very forthright and strong. I am grateful to witness (and learn from) the wonderful courage and fortitude of those who are working so hard to get clear, and/or extending their support to people who are doing that. I am grateful that my bf is still here, alive, struggling but gaining strength every day.
I am grateful for other elements of my life, too. But what it comes down to is being grateful for the opportunity to love and be loved. Abuse has not defeated us--we are all in there, still insisting on being able to exercise our birthright of love, regardless of the challenges that we have been presented.
Peace to everyone,
Honey Girl
One of the coolest things about this site is that it connects people from all over the world. We may not be very aware of what the rhythms of life are in other places--I know I am not, unless I have an active tie with someone there--so it's quite likely that people outside the U.S. are not familiar with the late-November Thanksgiving holiday here, which happened the day before yesterday.
I realize that many posters here, myself included, often feel ambivalent about holidays. They're often a time of loss and regret--at the very least. Lots of pressure, lots of sadness, lots of painful associations. That is all very true for many of us, and I do not mean to minimize that.
Still, this year, for the first time I can ever remember, I was able to feel sincere gratitude for many aspects of my life today.
As difficult as the path is that I am walking, I am grateful to know that other people are on it to lead the way and to offer help when needed. I am grateful for the support of posters here, who have been very forthright and strong. I am grateful to witness (and learn from) the wonderful courage and fortitude of those who are working so hard to get clear, and/or extending their support to people who are doing that. I am grateful that my bf is still here, alive, struggling but gaining strength every day.
I am grateful for other elements of my life, too. But what it comes down to is being grateful for the opportunity to love and be loved. Abuse has not defeated us--we are all in there, still insisting on being able to exercise our birthright of love, regardless of the challenges that we have been presented.
Peace to everyone,
Honey Girl