Lucy Dathan

As an accountant by trade, I sometimes look at life as a balance sheet with debits (the positives) and credits (the negatives).

Taking the credits (negatives) first, normally Thanksgiving is all about family, friends and food (and football!) – plus it’s a time to reflect on life without having to deal with the commercial pressures that tend to come with other holidays.

This year, many people are likely unable to be with the friends and family that they would normally share their table with due to cancelled travel plans and health concerns of seeing elderly aunts, uncles, parents or grandparents.

But while many families are suffering this disappointment, there are also a significant number who have had their Thanksgiving permanently impacted by COVID-19. For too many, they have lost a loved one, suffered long-term health issues, lost their employment or business, are suffering chronic loneliness or have missed significant 'rites of passage' that can never be repeated. 

But there are debits (positives) on this holiday's balance sheet. This Thanksgiving season, I am grateful for some of the unexpected things that 2020 presented. As a parent of teens who are striving for independence, the spring lockdown brought our family together: with creative family meals, game time or sharing family stories.

Through the enforced togetherness, I have become much closer to my children and have been granted a unique opportunity to be more involved in their lives and continue the sharing of our family values at a key time in their development.  I have also been able to have regular virtual get-togethers with out-of-town family, high school and college friends that, otherwise, I would not have seen until the next reunion.

With the help of amazing volunteers, I have found new ways to connect with constituents and, thanks to your support, I will continue working on your behalf in Hartford as your state legislator for a second term.  When I look ahead to what might come in 2021, I am feeling very optimistic.  

We should all feel positive that a range of policy ideas critical to many of us including health care equity, protection of the environment, improved foreign relations and ensuring that everyone is treated with equity and fairness are all renewed priorities.

My hope for everyone this Thanksgiving is that you have an opportunity to spend quality time with your loved ones and you find some time to reflect on your personal balance sheet. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

To read Connecticut's holiday gathering guidance click here.