Live always with an attitude of gratitude!

We sit close together at the kitchen island enjoying breakfast. After numerous food options, she chooses pancakes, even after I explain they’re yesterday’s leftovers. She persists. I’m flattered, thinking she’s fond of my homemade pancakes. It’s only after we’re ready to add the choices of butter, syrup, or honey that I realize it’s not the pancakes she’s so enamored with, but rather an opportunity they present. “Can I pour the syrup myself? Please, please?” she asks imploringly. And adds, “My mommy and daddy never let me do that.”

Such a simple request that means so much to her. I know her parents encourage her independence, but obviously, not with a large syrup bottle. I let her pour, all by herself, and she’s delighted. She later asks for another pancake with more syrup.

I remember my children wanting independence in ways just as simple. Permission wasn’t always given. The results might have been messy or inconvenient or not to their liking or mine. After seeing my granddaughter’s pleasure over such a small privilege, I recall my own children’s requests. It’s much too late for me to reconsider my decisions, since my children are all in their 30’s now. Instead, I’m thankful they are independent, freethinking adults.

While accepting temporary assignments for a local employment agency, I’m hired to work with a photography company taking pictures at an area school. Our scheduling includes students from special needs classes who are high school age with differing abilities. Two students are accompanied by their mothers for the picture taking. I watch as the mothers lovingly talk to their sons, explaining to them about smiling for the pictures. Both moms gently comb their sons’ hair, straighten shirt collars, and encourage good posture and smiles.

The photographer is professional and patient. It’s his patience that is admirable. He snaps dozens of pictures hoping for one good pose that may or may not result in a sale, but will give two families attractive school photos. “All these poses,” says one mom whose son struggles to follow simple directions, “means I’ll have more chances for one good picture.” The exchange is heartwarming and I’m humbly grateful for the opportunity to have witnessed it. How often I fail to give thanks for what seems simple to me, but may be enormous for others.

For nearly 36 years, our household possessions included a crib. Not that it was in continual use for those many years, but we were the owners. It once stayed at my sister’s for her grandchildren, but later returned to occupy space in our basement. Sentimentalist extraordinaire, I wanted to keep it. My more practical husband often suggested we give it away. My adult children did not want it, although each of them used the crib as infants and toddlers. That sort of cinched the decision. If they could part with it, I should toughen up and give it away. I did. And I’m hoping the baby who uses it now enjoys sweet slumber.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, may we pause long enough and often enough to give thanks for blessings we receive throughout our lives. Sometimes it’s a much-loved grandchild, or a stranger, or even a cherished item that reminds us to live always with an attitude of gratitude.