Beech Tree News Network

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, and I’m counting my blessings this week. Recently, I read a 30-day gratitude list. Five of the listed items caught my attention.

A person I’m glad to have in my life.

Of course, I am thankful for the many people I have in my life: family and friends. However, I am most thankful that my late husband was part of my life for over 40 years. He had a tremendous influence on me and on our children. And he was never boring.

The people who mean the most to me.

Like most people, family members mean the most to me: my children and grandchildren, my mom, siblings and in-laws, and extended family members. They are all important. I also have a few good friends who have become “like family.”

My favorite area in my house.

In my home, my favorite room is the sunroom. It gets lots of sunlight, and I enjoy spending time there. Unfortunately, it’s a three-season room so I don’t use it in January and February. The sunlight is likely the big draw for me. It’s a bright, cheerful room.

A freedom for which I am grateful.

I am thankful for all of our freedoms – perhaps especially for religious freedom, freedom of speech, and freedom to travel. As a nation, we must safeguard our freedoms.

An accomplishment of which I’m proud.

My late husband and I raised three daughters. They each follow their faith and have taught their children (my grandchildren) their beliefs. I am gratified that my children have completed their education, found their career paths, and work. My children are also fair-minded people of whom I am proud.

Lionel Hampton said, “Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.” I can understand Hampton’s viewpoint. After all, gratitude – a thoughtful emotional response – is a choice.