Thanksgiving…..a time to give thanks for all that we have and for the people in our life. That’s what it’s all about, right?! Making space at the table for strangers who become friends….that’s being grateful for the gifts in your life and the willingness to share it with others. The past week brought about so many emotions. It’s the first Thanksgiving I was without one of my sons. I’m not sure anyone noticed, but I did…..and I felt it. There’s a hole left in your heart when the kids flee the nest. For some, the holidays are a reminder of things lost or of pain. For me, they’ve always been a time of joy and reflection of so many blessings in my life. I was so incredibly blessed to have my youngest son with me for Thanksgiving, but it’s not lost on me that even those moments are fleeting. I maybe have one more year before I may no longer get to have him sit at the Thanksgiving table with me. As I sat around the table this year, my heart was filled with gratitude for the people who shared in this special moment with me. For my son who made me a priority and who always shows me how important I am to him, even if he doesn’t realize it!:) For the stranger who quickly became a friend and brought such a joy to the day. For the two others who made the choice to spend the precious time at my home when they could have been many other places. All of these moments create extraordinary blessings in life. I was reminded at church today to have gratitude for the gifts in our lives….the people right in front of us who make us a priority every single day and on this special day…..those who show their love because they know God will give them a “double portion” of gratitude when we are grateful for the blessings before us. I think it was said today that gratitude and uncertainty can’t coexist. That statement alone brought tears to my eyes, because it’s true. If we are grateful for the blessings in our lives, we don’t question them. It seems so simple, yet it is sometimes hard to let go and and have faith that the best is always ahead. The extraordinary is already happening within…..you just have to embrace it and commit to the journey. Nothing worth anything is without risk and effort. Blessings come in many different forms. From the friend who reaches out to check on you, to the colleague who picks up some work to help, to a child who shows up at home unannounced, to an unexpected invitation from someone special in your life. Love, above all, is something for which we should all have gratitude. For if we are so lucky to love and be loved fully and unconditionally, hold on tight. That kind of love doesn’t come around often. Be thankful for those who walk through the storms with us, see the mistakes and lean in closer because they see the beauty deep within your heart. Those are the true diamonds in the rough. They are the extraordinary souls who make life incredibly beautiful, scary and exciting all at once. It’s hard to let go, but with gratitude and a little trust, we can be thankful and go all in!