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I am not always a very thankful person. It’s quite easy for me to try and constantly improve, or at least think about all the ways I could constantly improve. But a lot has been given to me to be thankful for.

I am thankful for a Mom who inspired a love of reading, which eventually transformed into a love of writing. I am thankful for my Dad, who took my on frequent nature walks and taught me the names of various plants. I am also thankful for my two sisters and brother. I am also very greatful for plans to see them all this Thanksgiving.

Another thing that I have to give thanks for, despite my prior misgivings, is my employment as a full time writer. It wasn’t something I expected, at least not while I was still young. Writers, at least of many of the writer’s I’ve read, always seem to have grey hair.

I think thankfulness, though, has been a hard concept for me to grasp. There is often the feeling that if I would just work a little harder at this, or that, things would get better. But often what sticks out to me in my life hasn’t been when people I knew worked hard but when they were kind. Awhile ago, a farmer pulled my out of a ditch when I was stuck on a dirt road. Recently, a good friend gave me a ride to retrieve my keys after I left them at an automotive shop.

Sometimes, just cracking pecans can be a pleasure in itself. Meditating on Psalms often gives a greater sense of gratitude. God seems much large when you open your eyes to see the works of his hands, and much more distant when you narrow your eyes to the works of your own hands.

All this to say that I’m not entirely good at being thankful, but since there’s a holiday ahead for just that, I’ll have an good opportunity to practice.