With Thanksgiving coming up, I’m here to express my gratitude. Thanksgiving is the time to step back and be thankful. Stopping to reflect has brought into focus how too often I fail to appreciate the blessings in my life. During past Thanksgivings, I recall sitting at the table with my family listing the people or things for which we were thankful. Since I am not going to be with my family this year, and instead will spend Thanksgiving with my in-laws, I wanted to uphold the tradition on my own.
The first person that comes to mind is my husband, Schuyler. I don’t know what I would do without him. He is my rock. When I get stressed, I tend to react out of emotion and Schuyler, who reacts out of logic, keeps me grounded. When I am anxious, he brings peace. I can call him at any time of the day to vent my frustrations, and he will encourage me. His grace never ceases to amaze me too. Regardless of the argument, he is never one to go to bed mad. He will stay up for hours to resolve the issue.
If I can’t get ahold of Schuyler during a time of crisis, I usually call my mom. Words cannot express how thankful I am for her. She has been by my side through thick and thin. When I broke my back or tore my ACL, she laid by my side. Her unwavering support enabled me to overcome all my trials and tribulations. I can talk to her for hours on the phone to work through my problems.
If my mom doesn’t answer her phone, my dad will pick up as they are frequently together. Although my dad is not willing to talk for hours, he will provide brief comedic relief, which is sufficient to lighten my mood. My brothers, similarly, bring joy to my life in the form of laughter. They show me love by making light-hearted jokes, which I have come to appreciate more as I have gotten older.
Finally, I am forever grateful for my sisters, Bryanna and Cassie. As all of you already know, my sister Bryanna provides great nutritional insight. Her guidance over the years helped me overcome various injuries and ailments. She is detailed-oriented and always provides individualized advice which I greatly appreciate. My sister Cassie is the one I call when I need counsel. She has my mom’s compassionate heart and is a natural counselor. She can effectively empathize with people, which is extremely helpful when I feel down because she knows exactly what to say.
Ultimately, I am so thankful for all my family members. Each one in a different way has shaped me into the person I am today. My goal is not to just express my gratitude on Thanksgiving because being thankful is an attitude that we should all adhere to daily. Scripture tells us to be “thankful in everything, in all circumstances.” Thus, I shouldn’t give thanks one time a year at Thanksgiving or when I receive a gift. Instead, I should praise the Lord for what he has done and will do even when I feel overwhelmed with the burdens of life. I’m going to make an effort each evening to consider the day and express my gratitude.
Signed, Mariah!!
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit