One night, I found myself reciting what I am thankful for to be different. Normally, I would count on my fingers some of the material things that I received for the day such as a $25 gift card from AMEX, or a nice lunch I had at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Randolph, Pho So 1 or that nice deal on the corns I got from the Fresh Market (10 for $3). But that night was a little different.
I was going through my grateful list like this:
thankful for my daughter’s hugs and kisses
thankful for my husband’s touch
thankful for my mother helping me with my chores
thankful for my dad’s insights and praises
thankful for my sister Rachel, who made me laugh
thankful for my friend Nha, who gave me a great piece of advice
And so on…I got up to 10 naming all people who filled my day!
Then, I felt a different sense of joy after that. It was different. I actually felt very lucky to have “people”, great “people” in my life who continually make me happy.
Not things.
Or more things.
But real people. Real feelings.
And they are my gifts .
Who are your gifts?
Have you been grateful for all them?