when you're not thankful

I’ve always been a thankful guy

I mean there’s always something to be thankful for

Family, friends, the breath in our lungs… ya know, the basics

But I’ve also always been an honest guy

And there’s a lot to not be thankful for

From the personal grief and losses to the global wars and tragedies

I could force my thankfulness, sure

Or I could sit in lament

I see neither as right or wrong

But each as seasons of life

To every thing there is a season, says the author of Ecclesiastes

And holidays tend to bring out both sides of the feels

From deep gratitude to deep heartache

From the cozy warmth to the aching cold

From the great richness of life to the extreme grief in loss

To everything, to every feeling, there is a season