Resting in Gratitude: Finding Peace in the Space Between

As another Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded that gratitude does not always arrive with excitement or celebration. Sometimes, it appears quietly in the spaces between. It lives in the moments when we stop to breathe, remember, or simply notice what is still good.

Grief changes how we experience the world. What once felt bright and easy may now hold a mixture of joy and ache. Over time, something softens, and gratitude begins to live alongside sorrow. It does not replace the pain, but it helps balance it.

You may find it in a shared laugh that surprises you.
In the comfort of your pet resting beside you.
In a sunset that reminds you that endings can still be beautiful.

Gratitude is not about ignoring the pain or pretending everything is fine. It is about recognizing that even in the space between heartbreak and healing, small lights still shine.

Gratitude Grows Slowly

In the early years of loss, gratitude can feel impossible. It is buried under exhaustion and the question, “How could I possibly be thankful for this?”

We understand that ache deeply.

With time, gratitude becomes less about effort and more about awareness. It starts small, often unnoticed, and grows slowly. It begins with moments like:

“I made it through today.”
“Someone checked in to see how I am.”
“I smiled for the first time in a while.”

Each small recognition becomes a reminder that life is still unfolding. Gratitude does not deny grief. It helps us live within it.

Gentle Practices for This Season

If you are struggling to feel thankful this year, know that you are not alone. There is no right or wrong way to show up for this day. Here are a few gentle ways to invite gratitude without forcing it:

Create a small gratitude space. Light a candle or place a photo that brings comfort or peace.
Begin the day with one deep breath and name something that feels good, no matter how small.
Share a memory of your loved one. Speaking their name keeps their love alive.
Write down one thing you are grateful for each day, even if it is simply, “I made it through today.”
Give yourself permission to rest. Sometimes the most grateful thing you can do is to allow yourself to pause.

This Year, We Are Thankful For You

This year, we are thankful for the stories shared with us. The courage, honesty, and compassion of this community continue to remind us why Torn in Half exists.

We are thankful for growth. Not the kind that erases grief, but the kind that allows love to take new forms.

And we are thankful for you. For reading, sharing, and continuing to show up even when it is hard. Your presence here matters.

A Thanksgiving Blessing

May this day bring moments of peace and reflection.
May you find warmth in memory, strength in your journey, and grace in your own timing.
May gratitude, even if quiet and small, find its way to your heart as a gentle reminder that love continues.

With gratitude and peace,
Jeni & Teresa