BOZEMAN — Finding gratitude in the midst of a pandemic is challenging, especially when many people have lost things they’ve never expected to lose this year - their jobs, their homes, and maybe even a loved one. But despite the heartache and uncertainty the past nine months have brought on, many people are digging deep and finding new things to be thankful for.
“I think I’m very thankful for a lot of the little things in life, especially the snow today," said Veronica Muha. "Every moment that COVID, lockdown has been able to let us see and the things we don’t normally get to experience with how busy things are.”
Veronica is a senior at Montana State and is studying to be a medical laboratory scientist. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to see her family this Thanksgiving and is extra thankful this year to have her mom in Bozeman.
“I know a lot of people aren’t able to travel, and so I’m thankful that I’m healthy, she’s healthy and we’re able to get together," said Veronica's mother, Debra Muha.
Sisters Katie and Nina are also thankful they get to spend the holidays together after much uncertainty.
“I’m thankful for my sister who just came home from college and my parents who just moved out here," said Katie.
“I'm thankful for my family. I didn’t get to see many of my friends, but I was able to see my family before heading to college which was a big change," added Nina.
Unfortunately for Bonnie and Tony, they won’t be able to spend the holidays with their family, but they're thankful for one another’s company.
"I’ve been thankful that we have each other," said Tony Clement. "We’re thinking of others though too and our families, other people’s families at this time. This is new for everyone to try to deal with, especially during the holidays, so we’re trying to keep that in mind and be thankful with them and find ways to be thankful. We can’t go forward without gratitude. That’s for sure.”
So many of us have lost so much, yet people are still finding gratitude in each day.