By Susan Collins, Surviving Spouse Advisory Council member

The holidays are filled with special family times that include beautiful memories. These memories can be sweet and make you all warm inside, but they also can cause sad emotions relating to the loss of a loved one.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it can be beneficial to focus effort and energy on what you are grateful for in your “new life” since the loss of a loved one. I am grateful for:

• The enduring and unwavering support of my family, friends, and community — as a military surviving spouse, these are near and far.
  
  
• My good health that allows me to support my family and grandchildren as they grieve and help others as well. 
  
  
• Being able to enjoy every new day. To be able to walk daily and enjoy meeting people, nature, trails, lakes, the ocean, sunrises, and sunsets.
  
  
• Beautiful memories and our legacy that I can pass down to my children and grandchildren.
  
  
• The strength and all the beauty life has to offer.
  
  
• My resilience to persevere.
  
  
• My faith. I look forward to meeting my spouse again.
  
  
• All life’s experiences. These experiences, whether they are good or bad, shape us throughout this life. They keep us alive.

As the holiday season approaches, I wish everyone good health and happiness and a wonderful Thanksgiving that is shared with family, friends, and great memories.