Gratitude

On Veteran's Day, I spent a quiet morning at home alone with Henry and Amelia. We didn't want to go anywhere, so we made a gratitude tree out of sticks found in the backyard. We made leaves out of tea-dyed printer paper and sewing thread. And every night at dinner since, we've all said something that we're thankful for, which we've written on the leaves and hung on the tree.

Doing this every day around Thanksgiving makes me want to do this every day year-round. There is no way you can have a bad dinner if you start by saying what you're thankful for. There is no way to have a bad attitude, no way to feel weary or sad, no way to feel angry or disappointed, when you stop and start listing out the things you're thankful for. Our family, healthy bodies, plenty of good food to eat, our many wonderful friends, our church, a home, a stable job, answered prayers, babies, grandparents, schools that nurture our children, forgiveness daily, the beautiful leaves outside (some of which we gathered on a walk for Family Night this week and put under the gratitude tree)... so, so much to be thankful for.

And like counting stars, swaff, as you start listing all of your blessings, you are reminded of more and more, and they become uncountable, infinite. And like counting stars, you are humbled, in awe. Everything petty and hurtful drifts away, and your heart is filled, your cup runneth over.

May all you be reminded of all the blessings in your life this Thanksgiving!