The holidays are a time to reflect on the things in life that we’re truly thankful for. But, too often, life circumstances can make us forget how extremely blessed we are. To help the Walden community remember, throughout the month of November, Walden Behavioral Care’s residential patients, families and hospital staff, created a gratitude tree decorated with leaves displaying anonymous messages of thanks.
“We hope that the tree provides reminders that despite being in treatment, or being busy at work, or any other number of other things, we all have things to be thankful for this time of year – and always,” said Emily Slager, director of Walden’s Waltham Residential, Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs.
The tree is displayed in the common residential gathering area, so patients, families, and staff can continue to enjoy it and add more leaves of thanks in the months to come.
Below are a few messages of thanks displayed on the gratitude tree.
- Family and friends who have stuck by me even when things are tough
- My life…that I’m still breathing and have the strength to fight and overcome
- For getting help
- Four-legged family members
- Having hobbies I love
- A safe place to live
- Laughter, sunny days, dance, and education
- The staff at Walden
What message of thanks would you add to the gratitude tree?
