Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, one and all!

It's that time of year when we purposely stop, look around and give thanks for all we have in our lives.

I know that I have so very much to be grateful for this year. The latest bit of gratitude from me comes from an unlikely place - or does it? Maybe it is so easy for us to look at the grand things (good health, love, a roof over our heads and food on the tables) that we overlook the tiniest moments for gratitude.

Last night, just minutes after Dakota arrived home early from class (Gratitude #1; it's awesome when she arrives home early!) there was a knock on the front door and the dogs went wild (Gratitude #2; the dogs didn't wake the sleeping children.). We do not have a peep hole and I fear knocks on the door after dark when I am home alone (Gratitude #3; I wasn't alone.). I held the dogs while Dakota called "Who is it?" through the door.

The voice of a neighbor came back, identifying himself. (Gratitude #4; not a scary stranger.) Dakota opened the door.

As it turns out, he had mail for me that had been delivered to his box. My newly renewed drivers license! (Gratitude #5; we all know it could have been a devastating event for my drivers license to end up in the wrong hands. Just think of all the information so easily at the hands of someone not meaning well.)

So - all in the span on 15 seconds, I had five things for which to be thankful. Imagine if we all paid close attention to a single hour in our lives - we would have many things to give thanks for on an hourly basis. It's truly amazing when you think about it.

In the hustle and bustle of the next few days, I hope we can all take a few minutes to be still inside ourselves and feel all the things, both big and tiny, that we have to be grateful for. I know that I am grateful for, and to, all of you for coming by here day after day to read my life stories. Your friendship and love is something I absolutely do not take for granted.

Have a fantastic Thanksgiving!