grat i tude noun the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Along with the continual quest to lift my eyes so I can see, I’ve been trying to acknowledge life’s gifts and the little graces of each season. It’s a practice that helps me cultivate gratitude and walk life’s road more grace-fully.
These are some of this season’s gifts and graces:
- Cats, because field mice and fall. And also there’s purring.
- The settling in that comes with shorter days and longer nights.
- Glimpses of the sun after a string of grey.
- Board games, because I too easily succumb to the pseudo-rest of DVDs and Amazon Prime. A modified version of Bananagrams continues to be something our family gathers around.
- Candles. They’re cheery company on grey days and when darkness falls too early.
- Maps. I’ve had an unusual amount of road time this fall and, while GPS is a gift of its own, it’s nice to see the whole route at once.
- My daughter’s navigational skills, a trait she got directly from her dad. When the two of us went on a road trip involving more traffic than I am comfortable with, I was grateful for her ability to get a map in her head and understand the landscape. More than even that, I’m glad to know that if she finds herself living in a city she’ll be able to find her way.
- On the subject of road trips: Grandparent willing to substitute teach. Reliable vehicles. Generous offers and kind invitations.
- Color. God makes all things beautiful in their time and in their way.
And you? What helps you cultivate gratitude in your life beyond the Thanksgiving season?
Happy Thanksgiving, Fellow Travelers.