grate·ful
/ˈɡrātf(ə)l/
adjective
1. feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful
In our family, we have a cherished tradition during Thanksgiving. Before the feast begins, each of us takes a moment to share something we’re thankful for. The elders speak of specific moments or meaningful relationships that have left a lasting impression over the past year. The middle-aged often recall a special event or achievement, while the younger ones light up as they mention gifts or possessions they hold dear.
Gratitude and joy seem to go hand in hand. When we take time to be grateful, joy often follows. Counting our blessings helps us to recognize the gifts we’ve been given—both big and small.
It’s easy to be grateful when life is going smoothly—when laughter fills the room, and love surrounds us. In his series “Conversations with God,” Neale Donald Walsch said, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Gratitude becomes harder to hold onto when we’re facing life’s storms: a failed exam, financial hardship, the sudden loss of a loved one, a senseless event that brings grief, or a difficult diagnosis.
In 2015, my daughter, in the early days of her first pregnancy, received devastating news. Her baby girl was diagnosed with a severe condition, that would lead to a difficult road ahead. But my daughter made the brave decision to carry her child, to give her every chance at life.
What followed were some of the hardest months our family had ever faced—marked by tears, difficult conversations and unimaginable decisions. In those moments, finding gratitude took effort. It became a quiet search for hope—a silver lining in the clouds. But even then, we looked for signs of light: the smile of a friend, the embrace of a loved one, or a moment of stillness that reminded us we were not alone.
When that beautiful baby girl arrived, she entered the world with numerous physical challenges. But she was met with boundless love and care. We cherished every moment we had with her. We were grateful. Grateful to the doctors and nurses who provided her with comfort and care. Grateful for the medicine that eased her pain. Grateful for friends and the community who stood by us. Grateful for the chance to read to her, to hold her tiny hand, to see her smile.
Gratitude during that time didn't remove the pain, but it gave us something to hold onto in the midst of it.
As we approach this season of Thanksgiving and gather around tables—some grand, some humble—may we choose to see life through the lens of gratefulness.
Let us not only be thankful for the food before us, but also for the arms of friends and family that hold us, the hearts of our community that support us and the smiles of children and grandchildren that light up the room.
Gratitude brings joy. And joy, when rooted in thankfulness, is a place in our hearts that nothing can take away.
This Thanksgiving, count your blessings—one by one.
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