I am so thankful. I often think about thankfulness and Thanksgiving Day makes me think about it even more. As a child, I was not thankful.

In fact, I was downright ungrateful. Everything and everybody (including me) fell way short. I knew not the power of thankfulness.

Somewhere along the line I began to understand that the value of things lay not in their being positive exceptions or positive rarities. If it’s valuable, is there no reason not to be thankful?

What I did not understand was the spiritual dimensions of being thankful. When I became more thankful, my relationship with myself changed for the better.

When I became more thankful, my relationship with those connected to me changed for the better.

When I became more thankful, my relationship with God changed for the better. Being thankful is that powerful.

I began to be thankful for things that were not basic such as life and health and food. I was thankful for little things such as a “Good morning” or “How do you do?” from those I encountered. I was thankful for smiles and kind words and the least little thing. I was just thankful within myself.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of the pervasive spirit of thankfulness.

In addition, most of the eleven children still living produced by my mother and father gather with children, grandchildren and others to celebrate.

Each family brings a dish to share.

I have so much for which to be thankful. I am thankful for: my family and friends; my health and strength; my fellow strugglers; my life and limbs; the air, water, and food which sustain me; the struggles I am able to embrace; the work I do; the love in my heart; the opportunities that come my way; the ability to be thankful; and so much more.

I am so thankful that I learned how to be thankful for it changed my life in many and profound ways.

I am so thankful that being thankful is powerful in so many ways.