Gratitude is an art-form that few look to master. With each generation that passes, it seems that there are fewer left with the capacity to truly be thankful. I believe it is because life continues to move faster and faster. We move in and out of each others lives with such fast pace that we are not there long enough to notice. We do not see the needs written across another’s face. We do not recognize the opportunity for kindness that was offered in it’s place.

Two thanksgiving’s ago we were making the drive home to Seattle to be with our family. We pulled off to get gas and food not long after the road trip had even began. As we pulled back onto the freeway my husband turned around and went right back off the ramp. I didn’t understand what was going on. I didn’t say a word but in my mind I felt frustrated that we were wasting more time, the snow was starting to fall again and we still had hours to go. I wanted to get on the road. I was so busy thinking about where we were going that I didn’t see, but he did. He came back around the off ramp and pulled the car over to the side of the road. He grabbed his wool gloves, jumped out of the car and began walking toward a man holding a sign that ultimately was asking to be seen. My sweet husband had seen him, and he saw more than a sign. He noticed that this man wasn’t wearing any gloves. He saw a need and he knew he could fill it. He didn’t say a word about it, not before pulling over and not once he got back in the car and began to drive away. As we pulled back onto the freeway I said a little prayer thanking God for the man who sat beside me and I then I whispered with gratitude, ‘I love you’.

Today is Thanksgiving. It is a day to be grateful, a day to “count your many blessings, name them one by one” and many of us will but what about the other 364 days. What about remembering to be grateful tomorrow? And as important as being grateful most certainly is… What about giving? What about allowing others to feel appreciation and gratitude through our hands?

I am grateful for my God who loves me and knows all that I am capable of.

I am grateful for my husband, who loves me and accepts me as I am.

I am grateful for my sister who is my best friend in the whole world.

I am grateful for my children who’s smile can litteraly warm me from the inside out.

I am gratful for friends who have become family and who know me and love me anyway.

I am grateful for a mother who did her best and gave me my ambition and drive.

I am grateful for a daddy who never made me outgrow having one.

I am grateful that I can and have received answers to my prayers.

I am grateful for my mind and the opportunities I have to stretch it.

I am grateful for hot showers.

I am grateful for choice. That we can each choose and be who we want to be.

I am grateful for a refrigerator that is full and a pantry that is stocked.

I am grateful for Salted Caramels.

I am grateful for my eyes and the gift I have been given to see God’s creations.

I am grateful for technology and how it affords me the chance to follow my greatest passions.

I am grateful for the readers of this blog. You are my biggest source of encouragement.

I am grateful for men and women who lived before me and set the way for me to have the liberties that I do.

I am grateful for my faith, for my desire to learn about the Mormons and that I get to say that I am one today.

I am grateful to be me.