Maybe not the Thanksgiving message you expected

As I sat down to write my Thanksgiving message to you all, I thought I’d see what I wrote last year. Here’s how I led off:

“I doubt I’d get any disagreement for saying 2020 won’t go down in history as anyone’s favorite year.”

After that masterpiece of understatement, I went on to express gratitude for the many wonderful things in my life despite that tough times we were living in.

Back then, I was still optimistic about beating the pandemic. I had no idea Teresa’s mother and brother would die of COVID. I was still having fun making our silly Facebook series “Bootcamp with QT Pi Becker.”

Then Valdie and Rocky died. The pandemic went on and on. And my lifelong struggle with depression became an almost insurmountable battle.

I’m not going to pretend that rattling off a gratitude list is all we need to do to shake off our blues. I sought the help of my doctor, a therapist, medication, my amazing family, and my faith. Staying on the sunny side of the mountain is a lot of work, and for those of you engaged in this struggle, my prayers and support are with you.

But I do want to mention one thing I will never stop being grateful for: You. Your kindness as we faced our family’s brutal losses, your continued good wishes, your devotion to your pets, your desire to learn and know more about how to help the animals in your life and in your community, your generosity when asked for prayers, shares, and donations… and especially those of you who engage with our family on QT Pi Becker’s Facebook page. You have no idea how happy those exchanges make us all!

As we head into the long Thanksgiving weekend, know our love is with you. Thank you for being in our lives, and here’s to a hope that next year will be good to our weary world!

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