A Time for Gratitude

Thanksgiving. A time for turkey and pumpkin pie. For stuffing and Mom’s special recipe that only she can make. For rolls and candied yams. For leaves changing in a riot of color. But most of all, this is a time for gratitude, the magical warmth of the heart.

Gratitude can come in many shapes. Years ago, Ken and I were RVing down in Baja, California, over Thanksgiving. He was an excellent cook, and I was the cleanup crew. Cinnamon was an essential ingredient for one of his dishes, so off I went to the little tienda in the center of town.

Another woman and I simultaneously got to this condiment, reaching for the only container on the shelf. My Spanglish was miserable, and her English non-existent. But box in hand, I motioned her to the cashier, who fortunately spoke both languages. I explained that both of us needed this spice. Did she have a plastic bag or container where we could split it? Voila! Mission accomplished. All three of us smiled widely at each other, with the need fulfilled. Gratitude, the spice was on the shelf. Gratitude for the bilingual cashier. Grateful for the willingness to work it out.

Especially this Thanksgiving, I consider all I have to be grateful for. A few things on my list are:

• Readily available produce and products. Yes, there’s a bit of preplanning in our little mountain towns. But between the grocery stores and Amazon, you can secure all you need for a scrumptious meal. A true luxury!
• Family and friends. While this Thanksgiving may be different this year, I am grateful for those near and dear to me. We may celebrate in our homes via Zoom or bundled up al fresco, but the love and connection are still treasured.
• Good health. For those of us who have this precious asset, it is an ongoing gift. For those still working on it, I am grateful for the energy you have to get to a better place.
• The front-line workers who selflessly provide care. Medical professionals, EMTs, urgent care centers have all sacrificed so much that we may have safe medical support and service. I salute you!
• A big shout out to my clients. Because of COVID restrictions, this has been a challenging time for many of us small business owners. I am grateful for those who called me for help to end old patterns and get unstuck. I appreciate your confidence in me and my work. It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with each and every one of you. Thank you.

These are just some on my list, and I’m sure you have many others. During this time of the year, I suggest you take a moment and give thanks for what you have been given. Happy Thanksgiving to all!