Thankful Thursday

We hope, above all, that somewhere, sometime throughout this holiday season you have felt love. We hope you've seen it, heard it, showed it and honored it. We certainly have here, thanks to you. What you've done for us, what you've done for each other, what you've done in memory of a darling child who's become an angel to us all, what you've done to be better, to do good, to put kindness into action--all of this has been miraculously beautiful. We are so blessed. We are so thankful.

And we hope you've been able to treasure the little things this season, too. Like the soft, salty texture of a cashew that was planted and nurtured on the other side of the world. Or an original handmade gift that combined hands, thought & creativity just for you. Or feeling the warmth of whomever occupied the couch with you. Or the glow of moonlight reflecting from carpet of snow outside or the drifting steam off a mug of hot chocolate or green tea. We hope you treasured smiles and the hugs.

Don't overlook the ordinary. There are a thousand blessings in every moment, if you look. Each breath and heartbeat, every color, texture, taste, smell. A lifetime of blessings, beauty, love. Thankfulness is like water. Allow yourself the release, the cleansing, the quenching that gratefulness brings.
-Mary Lee Bonasera Matthews