Grateful: adjective, 1550s-“pleasing to the mind,” also “full of gratitude,” from obsolete adjective grate “agreeable, thankful,” from Latin gratus “pleasing”.
Gratitude: noun, middle 15thcentury, “good will” from Middle French gratitude or directly from Medieval Latin gratitudinem “thankfulness”.
With Thanksgiving coming, my thoughts begin to dwell on being grateful and giving thanks. Below is a list of some of the wonderful things life offers me.
First. My son. He is amazing. I am inspired by him and stand in awe of all that he is and all that he is becoming. When he is sad and hurt, my soul aches. When he is happy, the world shines brighter. He reminds me to laugh when I forget and to forget when things seem unfair. I am grateful that he is in my life and grateful to be his mother.
Next are my friends. They are the keepers of my dreams and my goals along with the joys and sorrows of my life. Life is so much more enjoyable when shared. I am grateful for them all.
Then there is everything else. The first bird I hear after our long cold winters. The warmth and brilliance of the sun any day of the year. The moon, when I remember to look up, and the halo of stars that surround it. Laughter. A snowstorm when the world becomes silent. Wearing my pajamas at 4:00 in the afternoon on a winter day because it is just too cold and too dark to think. Open windows that fill the house with fresh spring air. Heat for my house in the winter. Food on the table. Chocolate of any kind. Smiles. Good health. Good music. Honesty. Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. Flowers of all colors and all varieties. The bounty from our garden.
I am grateful for the basics like a roof over head and clothes on our backs. I am grateful for shoes and socks and warm coats in winter. I am so very grateful for my son’s good health and my good health. The ability to walk and see and hear. I am grateful for a bed and a home. For a school where my son can learn and be supported in accomplishing his dreams and goals. I am grateful for the community we live in. Where the value of neighborly relationships is still a high priority.
And what about Life itself. Despite all the hills and valleys I have traveled, despite the ups and downs of my existence and the times of intense soul searching I am so happy to be alive. Regardless of whether it has been easy or so very hard, I am thankful for all that my life has shown me thus far.
“I think I learned to appreciate and treasure each day, because you don’t k now how many you’re going to be given.” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
Here’s to the Health of your Life.