There are so many things to be thankful for.
Accordingly, we are constantly being told that we should be thankful for everything we have all the time. Gratitude abounds.
It is an interesting time of year. People, especially moms, feel pressured to take part in that November “What I am Thankful for” daily social media thing that folks do. I understand why this comes about- it connects to Thanksgiving. Many of us feel more appreciative around this time of year in general.
However, we know the big things we are thankful for. We are happy to have a roof over our heads (even if it needs repairs) and food on the table. We love our family (even when they drive us bonkers) and friends. We know we live in a place where we have access to some of the best health care, schools, and all of the natural bounty Vermont has to offer.
Though this is true, we can also appreciate the small things.
Here are some of the little things I am most thankful for:
Getting my older child up and to school on time without asking 45 times for him to put his shoes on.
We’ve all been there and know what this is like. I know I exaggerated a little in my title but have you ever actually counted how many times you say “Get your shoes on!” in the morning? Oh, and then there are the days when he can’t FIND his shoes. No, he has more than one pair, but he wants a specific pair on that specific day, or else the world ends. So the days when he is up and dressed and ready to go, I breathe a sigh of relief and thank my lucky stars for the ease of the morning.
Getting through the day without getting some sort of something- food or otherwise- on my clothes.
Not only do I have two young children ages five and almost two, but I also teach kindergarten. If you have any idea what this looks like on a daily basis, I can come home and have any sort of matter from glitter to tomato sauce to bodily fluids on my clothing (yes, young children use me as a napkin. I know. It’s gross.) It’s a good day when I’m not in the laundry room at the end of the day soaking and adding a stain remover to my clothing.
When the line at Costco moves quickly, because my toddler is past his nap time and about to melt down.
I don’t often frequent Costco, but when I do, it’s like I’ve been led to the promised land of affordable bulk items. Cereal! Snacks! Cheese! Oh, and not to mention the samples! The samples are what get us through the store. But, inevitably I will linger a little too long in the cute jammy section and C. will start to yell “Down mama!” or “Out!” or “All done!” or some combination of the three and I know I’m in trouble. So when I get to the front of the store and I luck out to find the line that is not only the shortest but the cashier is experienced and we fly through the checkout? Phew!
Having an uninterrupted conversation with a dear friend who I have been playing phone tag with for over a month.
Oh, this one is precious. If I can squeak in half an hour or possibly (dare I say it?) 45 minutes on the phone with one of my girl friends, thankful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. Fulfilled, rejuvenated, happy, loved… that is more of my demeanor when the stars align and I have the chance to fill my soul with the words of good people.
There are so many other reasons to be grateful- too many to list here! And though we can spend some time reflecting on the big things that we are happy to have, it is also important to take part daily in being thankful for the little moments that bring us joy.
