I am so very grateful for one of the best Thanksgiving weekends yet.

I am so very grateful for our Thanksgiving Tree, full of blessings counted, handwritten on each leaf, some by me, some by friends.

I am so very grateful for grateful jars to remind our family and friends to record their blessings large and small and save them in the jar to remember next Thanksgiving.

I am so very grateful for a Saturday morning filled with laughter and love, a house full of people who are blessings to Sam and I.

I am so very grateful for a young man who works at McDonalds. He made us smile and gave us another reason to have hope in future generations. A couple of weekends ago, we stopped in the drive-thru for a couple of iced teas, and of course, Sam asked him some questions. He shared that he was going to a school musical that evening and was anxious for the end of his shift. So, yesterday, when we stopped to get two iced teas, we asked him how the musical was that he had attended, and the light bulb went on and he suddenly remembered us. He assured us that he had a great time and the musical was a little different than what he had remembered. Sam paid, the young man said, “Thank you – have a nice day,” and then added, “And, thank you for remembering that!” He was such a polite young man…and then we drove to the next window to get our teas, and another young man was so polite and respectful, and when we asked him what the other boy’s name was so that we could remember next time, THIS young man said, “Oh, he’s my twin brother!” These two boys must have some wonderful parents to have taught them the value of hard work and treating the customer with respect and kindness. We were very impressed with Jason and Justin and will look forward to seeing them next time. And yes, a phone call to the store manager is on my list.

I am so very grateful for the beauty of a moment: a fire in the fireplace, soft Christmas music playing, the warm glow of the Thanksgiving Tree lights and the stillness of the evening to quietly praise and reflect.

I am so very grateful for several miracles that took place in the world of an employee of Sam’s this past week. Their little girl was born with life-threatening circumstances, and it is no coincidence that God had His hand on many different situations in order to save this little life.

I am so very grateful for cardinals that sit on our table now, a gift from Dad, and a reminder of Mom.

I am so very grateful for hours spent around the table putting a puzzle together, playing Dominoes and Compatibility, and having conversation with my family.

I am so very grateful for Christmas wish lists to fulfill for three CASA girls, and for the reminder that giving to others is the best gift of all.

I am so very grateful for the gift of a smile, for the gift of really being listened to and cared for, for the gift of focused eye contact when speaking to someone, and for the gift of heartfelt conversation.

And I am so very grateful for a wonderful first year, and for a beautiful future together. Happy Anniversary, Sam.