thanksgiving beach pumpkinIf there were only twenty seashells left in the world,

what would they be worth?

                                                                – John D. MacDonald

As the US Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we all know what we’re supposed to be thankful for (pardon the grammar!).  But for what are we really grateful?  Try being truly honest with yourself as you create a gratitude list this week, and you’ll be surprised, I think, at what’s on your list.

I have the gift of spending this week with friends and family in an amazingly beautiful place, and I am beyond grateful that we’re together (even with my introverted need to get away periodically!).   As we have eaten our way through the week (and it’s not even Thursday yet!), we’ve had some time to discuss our gratitude list for our holiday meal together.

Here’s what we’ve come up with thus far, in no particular order:

Family

Friends

Love

Laughter

Sunrises

Sunsets

Stars twinkling in a sky with no light pollution

Seashells

Barefoot November walks on the beach

Pelicans, gulls, terns, marsh hawks, oyster catchers, sand pipers

Thunder storms over the sea

Wind whistling through the maritime forest

Dolphins surfing the waves

Sunlight sparkling on the sea

Dunes anchored by sea oats, Joe Bell flowers, catbrier, yaupon, seabeach plants – all part of the delicate coast ecosystem.

The list goes on and on, but notice that not one thing on the list costs any money.  They are treasured moments with people I love, in a place that is beyond wildly beautiful to me. Wherever you live, take time to be grateful for the “things” in your life that aren’t “things.”  You’ll be surprised at what really matters in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving and blessed be,

Deb