Gratitude Day

Hello My Friend,

What do you remember about your early
"Thanks and gratitude" day?

Thanksgiving this week.
I'm calling it "Official Gratitude Day.”

I don't know when the word “gratitude”
Became part of my thinking.
It wasn't an expression that came up in conversation
In my "olden days.”

My family had a pretty good vocabulary.
Gratitude wasn't a word I knew.
"Be thankful" was message with Thanksgiving.

Teachers would suggest,
"At your holiday table, have each person say 
What he/she is thankful for."
I'll do that! Great, idea!

My family was not "churched.”
Didn't speak publicly about blessings/ gifts/ bounty.
Probably existed in their minds,
But not to be shared in words.

I remember popping up at our table,
Telling folks each had to say what each was thankful for.
(Audacious pip-squeak kid!)

Silence, uncomfortable glancing & shifting,
Until Mom briskly spoke up, "Food!”
And started sending food-laden dishes around table.

I didn't do that again!

Now I realize I don't have to hear others speak of their thankfulness.
I can pull up my own list,
Silent & internal, or loudly shared.

I call it GRATITUDE now.

I know obvious, big items --- plus
Small, sometimes hidden pieces are in my "Gratitude" bag.

Used to be that I was embarrassed
To be public about noticing what I view with gratitude.
Not now.

Especially not now,
With restrictions, distances, health concerns,
Necessary and disruptive.

Keeping track of what lets me live today,
As positively as possible ---
I'm shouting that!

Sending wishes for gentle days.
Love to each this Gratitude/ Thanksgiving week.