Gratitude— November 2023
What Gratitude Looks Like To Me
An Exploration of Life and Gratefulness

CJ Coop asked us, “What does gratitude look like to you?”. I promised you a response CJ, here it is.
Today, as I slowly rose from bed I thought of family and those we’ve lost To war, age, and dementia Illness, suicide, and life
What is the cost to be grateful In the face of life’s uncertainties? To find joy and grace Amidst strife and hardship?
A child’s laugh of pure joy The unconditional love of a pet Young helping the elderly A crisp, sun-drenched Autumn day
The soft breeze Sunshine on your face The green of the grass Crunch of leaves under feet
Beautifulness of a genuine smile A random act of kindness Charity with nothing wanted in return Love of parent and child
Fresh fruit and vegetables Food of all kinds Flowers and trees Fresh flowing water
Doctors, Lawyers, Policemen Secretaries and road workers CPAs and grocery clerks Paramedics, dispatchers, and bankers
Bonfires, camping and s’mores Hiking, skydiving, laying on the beach Swimming with dolphins and turtles Skiing and making snow angels
People who protect others For no reason Other than Someone needs to
Nature and the universe Oceans and streams Animals, wild and free God in all beings
The beautiful selflessness of a soldier Who goes to war Even though The war they are asked to fight may be wrong
These are some of the things For which gratitude is sung There are many, many more For which to be grateful
These are the moments and people in life for which I am grateful. There is so much more but impossible to list it all. Thank you for reading.
It is Remembrance Sunday, so to all of the world’s beautiful and brave soldiers, past and present. We honor you, we remember you, and we are grateful. Thank you for protecting us. 🙏🏻
© 2023 Delaney Patterson 🙏🏻 Be your best self!
Thanks to Vinitha Dileep for this challenge. Though I am not writing every day; my life has been enriched by reading all of our writers’ submissions. For that, I am grateful. Thank you, Vinitha. A heartfelt Thank You to all of our wonderfully gifted writers.
If you would like to join in the fun, there is still time.
