Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
It is the one day set aside for gratitude and thankfulness. The bonus for me is that it comes without strings, no gifts or stress.
My biggest worry of the day is will there be enough food. The answer is always yes, of course, because that is who we are as a family. That comes from my parents. There was always enough food on any given day, because at our house, you never knew who was going to show up at dinnertime and anyone who did was welcome at our table.
My parents taught their six children lots of things: hospitality, grace, forgiveness, and gratitude. They both died too young at 70 and 72. My brothers and I do our best to keep their memories and traditions alive as we take turns hosting family holidays. We are profoundly grateful for all they taught us, although some lessons we learned earlier in life than others. My love of gardening and appreciation of nature comes from them too.
Today, on Thanksgiving, I have many things to be grateful for. My husband of 51 years, my children, and their spouses, and my four grandchildren fill me with pride, love, and gratitude every day. I have five brothers, lots of nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. I have a job I love and a work family that blesses me with their support over and above what anyone could expect.
Our lives are far from perfect, they are messy, chaotic at times, and all together wonderful. Like everyone, we have had our share of grief and sorrow, but also joy and blessings. Our lives are perfectly imperfect. (Wabi-Sabi) I am trying to make gratitude a daily practice, rather than a once-a-year thing. Research shows that regularly expressing gratitude and thinking grateful thoughts can increase blood flow to the parts of the brain where many of our key body functions including stress are regulated and can cause the release of dopamine and serotonin, both of which can enhance our mood and feelings of well-being.
Gratitude for the people in our lives is important, but gratitude for nature is, too. Practicing gratitude for nature reminds us that we are a part of nature rather than separate from it. Spending just 20 minutes in nature can help reduce the feelings of stress and anxiety and we all need that.
As we head into the busy holiday season, let’s take some time to practice gratitude for all the good and simple things in life. Whether it is an embrace from a loved one, the way the sun filters through the bare tree branches, or the first snowfall of the season, life is full of beauty just waiting to be noticed. Let us all keep our eyes and hearts open to the wonder that is life and be truly grateful.
“When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence.” — Unknown
Happy Thanksgiving!