Life After Divorce | The New Me Mom

Thanksgiving has never been my favorite holiday. I’ve always just viewed it as a holiday centered around food. I’m not even driven by food. I don’t even really crave certain foods. I just eat because I know I have to in order to stay alive. But living as a single mom and making Christmas the priority to see family, I’ve never traveled home to Nebraska for Thanksgiving. I’d rather save the money for Christmas. My first year after divorce no one invited me to their house because I lost all my friends during my divorce and that was the first year I was going to be without my children, so my sister and niece came to visit. Last year a friend of mine invited me to her house. A little background on this friend. This is the only person that offered me a place to stay post-divorce. We weren’t friends then. She was just generous and knew I was a mom in need. It was the biggest blessing at that time in my life. I couldn’t take her up on her offer, but we became friends through it all. Fast forward…she and her husband offered for me and my children to come over to her family’s Thanksgiving dinner. I was scared to death because of my son and him being autistic. I didn’t know how he would do but I went in thinking “worst case scenario.” He did amazing! This year we got the same offer. I’m not supposed to have my children, but my daughter went on a trip with her dad and my son stayed back with me. Again, he did amazing, but he knows their house now and is familiar. I can’t tell you how these friends have become such a big blessing for me and my family. They have such big hearts and invite us in like we are part of theirs.

“Gratitude means to recognize the good in your life, be thankful for whatever you have, some people may not even have one of those things you consider precious to you (love, family, friends, etc.) Each day give the gift of life. You are blessed.” -Pablo

I’m so thankful for many things this year. I’m very thankful for the God of forgiveness. Thankful God humbled my life in a way only I could understand through the eyes of my children and through the power of love and patience. I’m not perfectly healthy but healthy enough to be thankful I don’t have any life-threatening things ahead of me to worry for. Thankful I have a supportive family, my parents and siblings, and that they meet me where I am. They see my struggles and don’t judge me for my past mistakes. I have a few good friends I can call on but not many and that’s ok. I have the BEST work family ever and I know Gods hands were surely in those plans when I was given no other choice but to work at the church and with them. And lastly, my children. They are my heart and my soul. And I hope when people see my children, they see me. I hope the goodness that has been instilled in my life, regardless of my circumstances, shows through their kind and selfless hearts. That’s all I ask for in this life. That my children leave a kind. generous, and selfless footprint wherever they go.

I pray that for everyone else. And that you walk away from this season with a kinder heart than when you first started. The best things in life don’t even cost a penny. The memories of those that are no longer with us. Laughing till you cry. Being loved. A simple hug. Being alive! The types of things we could all use to keep us happier. It really isn’t that hard to be thankful and a grateful heart is the best kind to have. ❤️

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18