Today we took some family time to talk about what’s most important to us and what each of us is thankful for.
Little Kay wants you to know she’s thankful for her family. Also pancakes, bacon, blueberries, and the pumpkin patch! Big sister Teeis thankful for, “My Mommy and my Daddy and my sister. Having a house, nice friends, food and water, and our dog. I’m thankful for the whole, wide world!”
Sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) I fall into the trap of complaining. I complain about the mess in my house, complain about having to cook every day, complain about my kids not listening… But what would it be like not to have those things to complain about? What would it be like not to have a messy house, or a home at all? Having gratitude means viewing things through a lens of thankfulness and appreciating what I already have.
I am thankful for so many things, big and small. At the top of my list as always is my family: my loving husband and my two clever little girls who keep life interesting around here. I’m thankful for the beautiful summer we just had, and for the gorgeous fall foliage we’re enjoying right now. I’m thankful for the new Indian restaurant we just discovered nearby, and very thankful they deliver!
I’m thankful that my daughters are both enrolled in amazing schools with teachers that foster and encourage their intellectual, social, and artistic development. So many girls around the world don’t have access to any education at all, let alone the opportunities I can look forward to providing to my girls.
Millions upon millions of women struggle with infertility. What if I had been one of them? What if I had never conceived my babies? More than anything, I’m thankful for my children. Even when they drive me up the wall, I can’t imagine a life without them in it.
Right at this moment there are an estimated nine million people displaced by the civil war raging in Syria. We’ve all seen the footage and read the stories of refugees on the road and in refugee camps. Parents who have given everything up in the hopes of keeping their children safe.
Every time I read or hear the news about the refugee situation in Syria, I’m grateful I have a home and belongings to clutter up that home. I’m thankful that we have a bounty of food, available whenever we want. So many people around the world and here in our own country don’t have that luxury. I’m thankful that we are safe in our home and in our community.
We are blessed. Blessed with love, safety, and abundance. And that’s what we’re celebrating this Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?
It’s good to be reminded that there is so much to appreciate in our lives. Negativity is such an easy rut to get into that I often have to give myself a good talking to and once I get started thinking about what’s good in my life, I wonder why I ever complained in the first place.
Well said! Happy Thanksgiving!
survival race A lovely reflection on gratitude and life
This was a heartfelt and refreshing reminder to slow down and appreciate the good things in everyday life. Gratitude can easily get lost in a busy schedule, so reflections like these are always worth reading. I try to make time for simple moments too, whether it’s spending time with family or taking a short break with a casual game like agario. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful perspective.
The reflection on gratitude in On Being Thankful emphasizes how small acts of appreciation can reshape perspective and strengthen relationships. It’s a reminder that thankfulness isn’t just seasonal—it’s a daily practice that builds resilience and joy.
I loved your insights on gratitude! It’s so easy to overlook the little things. Do you have any specific practices or routines that help you stay thankful, like maybe a game of Subway Surfers with family? How do you balance fun and reflection in your day-to-day life?
This is such a lovely reminder. Gratitude really does change how we see ordinary days, and I love that your daughters shared their own lists. Thank you for the gentle nudge to focus on what we already have.
I really needed this reminder today. It is so easy to get caught up in the busy parts of parenting and forget to pause and appreciate the small, ordinary moments. Thank you for the gentle nudge to slow down and count the little blessings – I am going to start a simple gratitude note with my kids this week.