Thankfulness and gratitude: Finding joy in Thanksgiving with MS

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on what gratitude really means. Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) has taught me that thankfulness isn’t just about the big, joyful milestone moments; it’s about noticing and appreciating the small victories that make each day possible.

The truth is, life with MS doesn’t pause for the holidays. My symptoms and challenges don’t disappear just because there’s a turkey on the table. But over time, I’ve learned that focusing on what I can do, rather than what I can’t, makes this season feel more meaningful.

I am thankful for the years I’ve spent decorating, cooking, and hosting Thanksgiving meals for family and friends. I am grateful for all of these memories. This year, I am taking a step back after accepting an invitation to celebrate the holiday with the family of my son’s girlfriend. I’m thankful for the invitation.

I’m looking forward to making a favorite side dish or two, rather than preparing the entire meal as I have in years past. I’m also looking forward to simply being present this holiday, enjoying the company of others, and watching the Kansas City Chiefs football game, even though Thanksgiving will look different this year. Living with MS has given me an appreciation for these seemingly ordinary moments, because they’re proof that I’m still here, still showing up, still finding joy in the midst of unpredictability.

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Gratitude has also taken on a new shape for me. It’s no longer just a list of blessings that I think about once a year at Thanksgiving. It’s a mindset I try to practice daily. Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect or ignoring my daily challenges related to MS. For me, it’s trying to see goodness in everything, even the small, ordinary things — in people, in moments, and in life itself — and letting that awareness bring me joy, peace, and strength. Thanksgiving is a reminder to me that even when MS makes life more complicated, there’s still so much good woven into each day.

Family and friends play a crucial role in my support system, and I am especially thankful for them. I’m deeply grateful for the people in my life who offer support — not in grand gestures, but in small, thoughtful ways. For instance, when my husband automatically reaches for my hand as we walk down a hill, and when a friend asks me explicitly, not just “How are you?” but “How are you feeling?” or “How is your MS doing?” That support means everything. Their love and thoughtfulness remind me that I’m not facing this illness or life alone.

MS has also taught me resilience — a quiet, steady strength that I didn’t know I had before. Due to my symptoms, there are days when I have to adjust, compromise, and be flexible with my schedule or “to-do list,” and that’s OK. I’ve learned to be more accepting of myself, to let go of perfection, and to redefine what “a successful day” and even a “successful holiday” look like. But in doing so, I make room for what truly matters: connection, gratitude, and peace.

This Thanksgiving, I’m choosing to focus on those small victories — the ones that remind me of how far I’ve come and how much I still have to be thankful for. Life with MS can be unpredictable, but it’s also filled with moments of grace and strength. And that, to me, is something worth celebrating every single day.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.