A written word inspired by the reflection of Thanksgiving. Some of my military spouses out there have experienced a wonderful year and some the hardest years of their life.

Some can write a novel on the things that went wonderfully, and some don’t have a single word that can sum the immense pain endured this year. 

This poem is for all of you. 

Thankfulness- The Shocking Truth

When reflecting on the word “thankful” and the meaning held inside

Many may be shocked at what they are to find

It doesn’t mean being happy or joyful at the cause

For which they are remembering and giving to a pause

It doesn’t mean being somber or really a feeling at all

It’s actually about a consciousness to which it befalls

The definition of thankful is: conscious of benefit received

“But how?”, one may ask 

Of the benefit received 

When a year has been filled with sorrow and tremendous amount of grief

A year full of loss, deployments even shattered dreams

What could be gained by such a year or even such things?

Or, to the one who says “thankful?” Well of course!”

I have won more than I asked for and I have successfully chartered each course

In which I have endeavored and experienced joy beyond belief

I don’t want this year to end, in fact the thought of that is the only thing I grieve 

Yet each can be equally thankful which may be a shock

For the gift in each these situations is the lessons that it brought

For one the benefit received is strength, endurance and growth

The other joy and happiness and treasures to behold

Yet each season is important and each lessons must be learned

Times of great wins and great losses are the life-long battles we endure

As we journey through this road called life and experience some of both

May your thankfulness be in the lessons

The ways they shape you, change you and and give birth…

To the new life inside of you and the new year ahead of you that may contain both of these

There is always a reason to be thankful, a conscious choice to make

May you be thankful for your yesterdays and tomorrows…

And present in your every day

*For more from Lindsey, Check out her M:M Author Page.