With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I guess you could say I’m counting my blessings. And while I wish I could say that I automatically do that quite often, it seems like this year I’ve had to make myself be thankful. You see, Thanksgiving is kind of a hard holiday for me. It was my dad’s favorite holiday; the time of the year when he got the entire family together for a big celebration that culminated in us all saying what we were most thankful for that year. I always came up with trivial things to say…I was thankful for my home, my job, the awesome new handbag that I had picked up as an early Christmas present. But I never really said the things I was really thankful for. I guess I just always assumed he knew.
Now that I’m preparing for my fifth Thanksgiving without him, I’m determined to change that. I’m determined in his memory to say the things and more importantly the people I’m thankful for. And I’m determined to not make the mistake I did with him with my remaining parent. Because through these last years, my mom has become something to me that I never could have imaged. She has become my rock, my mentor, the person I look up to more than anyone and most importantly of all, my best friend. And though realizing these things, I’ve realized that these moments with her as part of my life are more precious that I ever could have dreamed and they are worth being thankful for.
I’m thankful that she’s been there to show me what a mom should be. To encourage me when I’m feeling overwhelmed and when quite honestly, the kids are driving me nuts.
I’m thankful that she’s been able to share her own experiences and walk me though the challenges of being a mom of a preschooler.
I’m thankful that she acts as a sounding board when I think my teenager is going to drive me crazy with his sullen ways and instead encourages me to show patience and grace because I too was once a surly teenage who drove her crazy.
I’m thankful that she has helped me walk through dating, marriage and becoming a wife. That she’s been there through the hard times when tears fell freely and though the good times to celebrate the special moments.
I’m thankful that I simply have her in my life. I’m thankful that she now resides with us part time and can be involved in all the little moments. I’m thankful that she’s only a call or more often a few feet away and that her love and support never falter. I’m thankful that in those times when I am so lost, so frustrated and so confused, she’s always right there to point me home.
But above all, I’m thankful that I’ve gotten to share this journey through life with her. I’ve watched her soar, seen her grieve and through all the moments, she’s taught me more than I could ever have imagined. She’s shaped me. Changed me. And helped me become who I am one moment at a time. And for that, I am truly grateful.
This holiday season, it’s time to remember the people and the moments that are worth being thankful for. In a world where hateful newsfeeds and ugly stories fill our lives, we’re becoming disconnected and forgetting that life is a journey of thankfulness. We’re living together but being alone. And now is the time to change that. Research proves that simply writing down what you are grateful for triggers positive health benefits of gratitude. I know that writing down all the things I’m thankful for about my mom did that for me and took a holiday I have dreaded and turned it into one I’m extra thankful for this year.
Now, I’m challenge you to be thankful as well and I’m not alone in issuing this challenge. In fact, American Greetings is partnering with the United Way Worldwide as part of the ThankList campaign to turn this season into on of gratitude. It starts with me. And with you. Because it’s up to us to change the conversation and say two simple words: thank you!
Here’s all you have to do. Create your own ThankList; a list of people you want to express gratitude toward for helping to shape your life. Just tweet or share a post on Instagram or Facebook with the names (or even the picture) of the people you’re thankful for and include the hashtag #ThankList. For each #ThankList shared, not only will you be filling friends and families news feed with reasons to be thankful but American Greetings will also donate $1 to United Way Worldwide! These funds will be used towards hunger preventing, giving others a reason to be thankful.
So don’t wait! Today, tomorrow and for days to come let’s replace the negativity with gratitude. Let’s share little moments and memories we’re thankful for and change the conversation. It’s time to stop dwelling on the bad. On the sad. On the negative. And instead fill the world with gratitude for the people who have shaped our lives in big and small ways. It’s time to say Thank YOU!
Tell me, who are you grateful for this holiday season?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
It’s important to remember to be thankful, even when Thanksgiving has come and gone. Most of us have so much going for us that we never remember to appreciate.
You are so right! Today’s little moments are tomorrow’s precious memories. I often take a step back and remember to be thankful for the small things. What a great campaign that American Greetings and United Way Worldwide are doing.
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I am savoring the little moments this season because of the fact that my kids are all grown up for real this year and it is going to be so different the following year.
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I have done a ton of work with United Way as a teacher. It is so incredibly important to participate in activities that better the world, as well as appreciate all of the good things we have to be thankful for.
Remembering to be thankful is so important! I love this post!
Your mom sounds like a great person. I like the idea of creating a Thanklist! I’m grateful for my mom, my kids and so many others!
There are so many things to be thankful for. I try to think of all the blessings in my life each night before bed.
I’m also thankful for my mom. When we were children she worked two jobs as a single parent just to take care of us and she still does everything she can today to ensure we’re taken care of, even though my brother and I are adults.
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That’s a very sweet post. Our mothers are awesome and admirable and they will always be our number one go-to person. I think it’s a great idea, to give thanks to the people in our lives who have done so much.
I am grateful for my hubby and all of the things his hard work have afforded us!
I love this campaign from American Greetings. Your mom sounds like an amazing person, I would be lost with out my mom!
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As I get older the little things become the most important.
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I always love taking some time out of my day to remember the things I am grateful for. I am going to write a gratitude list later on tomorrow!
What an incredibly sweet post. You’re so lucky to have her but more importantly she’s lucky to have you. It’s always great to remember and be thankful for everyone in our life. It’s hard to always be thankful for your parents but once we’re older we really see the beauty in all they did for us.
I think this is such an awesome idea from American Greetings. What a great company!
Thanks for an inspiring post on this day of THANKSgiving. Your mom and you look so similar, it’s amazing.
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Such an inspiring and sweet post. I think your mother was a great person
Awesome campaign by American Greetings! Indeed, there are a lot of things we should be thankful for. Stop the whining, stop the complaining. Just be thankful for what we have and share our blessings. I am participating in this #ThankList campaign.
Your mom sounds like an amazing person. I am thankful for my parents, who like your mom, are always here for me.
Your mom is a beauty. I love the post. And Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too!
Wonderful post. Your mom sounds just wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
It is important to remember that Thanksgiving is not all about the food. This is a wonderful post.
Awwww! I think having your mom living with you PT is a blessing. This makes me miss my mom who has passed away.
I am so thankful for the time I had with my mother. She taught me so much. Right now I am thankful that we are all together as a family right now… helping each other through this tough time.
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It is so important to remember what you are thankful for especially for the things you don’t have too.
It is so important to remember what you are thankful for especially for the things you don’t have too.
Be thankful always on what comes to you, even every little things nor good or bad you should be thankful, for one day you will look back and realize that this is a big one and worth to be remembered.
This is such a lovely tribute to your mom, and you’re right, you are so lucky to have her. I feel the same way about my grandmother, who has always been my mother figure and who taught me how to be a woman and the wife I am to my husband today. This time of year certainly makes you think of all the people you have to be thankful for.
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This is definitely the time o year to spread gratitude for all our of loved family and friends! I need to take the time to share my own #ThankList!
Such beautiful pictures! I hope you had a wonderful holiday : )
xo Adriana – Daily Dose of Design
Love this! I’m always telling myself to be more thankful. It could be worse.