The spirit of Thanksgiving extends far beyond a single meal; it’s a mindset of gratitude that we strive to cultivate throughout the year. Last month, we embarked on a heartwarming journey with our Thanksgiving-inspired “thanks jar”, a simple yet profound tradition designed to capture daily moments of appreciation. For weeks, John and I blindly contributed notes, scribbling down what we were thankful for without peeking at each other’s entries. The anticipation of the big reveal was palpable, and finally, after a month of diligently filling our jar, the day arrived to uncover the collective tapestry of our blessings. It was a moment of reflection, laughter, and a beautiful affirmation of the countless joys that enrich our lives.
Cherishing Life’s Miracles: Our Family’s Heartfelt Thanks
As we emptied the jar, a cascade of colorful notes spilled out, each one a testament to the big and small wonders we’ve experienced. While many themes emerged, a central focus on our family, especially our beloved daughter Clara, dominated our sentiments. It’s no surprise; becoming parents has fundamentally reshaped our world, filling every day with unparalleled joy and a profound sense of purpose. Here are some of the most touching highlights from our gratitude collection, reflecting the precious milestones and everyday delights that define our family life:
- For finally figuring out what the heck to do with this thrift store glass jar. – John
- That Clara’s birth was a miracle and she’s a healthy & happy little girl. -Sherry
- That we sold our house & found a new one that we love (fingers crossed for a smooth closing).- Sherry
- That Clara finds Burger as hilarious as we do. She just cracked up watching him.- John
- That John has an amazing family. I love my in-laws. – Sherry
- That when sick, Sherry’s far more fun to be around than I’d be. -John
- That Clara is in the 90th percentile for height. My tall girl! So proud. – Sherry
- For only having 1,500 sq ft of stuff to move and not 2,500 of it… this time. -John
- That this time six months ago, Clara was born. -Sherry
- That Clara gifted us with another 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. -John
The Unending Joys of Parenthood and New Beginnings
Indeed, Clara emerged as the undisputed star of our gratitude jar. It seems we are utterly, delightfully obsessed with our little girl, and rightly so. Her mere existence is a source of constant amazement and overwhelming love. From her miraculous birth to her daily milestones, every moment with Clara is a reminder of life’s incredible preciousness. John’s note about her finding our dog, Burger, hilarious perfectly encapsulates the simple, pure joy she brings into our home, creating moments of shared laughter that echo through the halls. Sherry’s pride in Clara’s height percentile is a sweet testament to the universal delight parents find in their children’s growth and development. And, of course, any parent can empathize with the profound gratitude for “another 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep” – a true gift!
Beyond Clara, our gratitude also revolved around significant life changes, notably our recent home journey. Selling our old house and finding a new one we adore has been a monumental undertaking, fraught with emotion and excitement. The mention of “fingers crossed for a smooth closing” highlights the anxious anticipation that accompanies such big life decisions. This entire process has deepened our appreciation for having a safe, loving space to call our own and the incredible opportunity to build new memories within its walls. The pragmatic gratitude for having less to move this time around also perfectly captures the reality of such transitions – a nod to past experiences and a hopeful outlook for the future.
Our appreciation also extended to each other and our wider family circle. Sherry’s heartfelt note about John’s amazing family and her love for her in-laws underscores the importance of extended family in creating a supportive and loving environment. And John’s playful jab about Sherry being “far more fun to be around” when sick than he would be, speaks volumes about the comfort and companionship found within a loving partnership, even during less-than-ideal circumstances. These notes, while seemingly simple, paint a vibrant picture of a family deeply connected, mutually supportive, and profoundly thankful for the bonds that tie them together. This year has been a whirlwind of growth, change, and immeasurable blessings, all centered around the beautiful chaos and profound love that define our journey as a family.
Beyond the Obvious: Appreciating Life’s Quirky Delights
While our family, home, and pets predictably featured heavily, we also made sure to toss in a few “wild card” mentions to keep things interesting. These notes reminded us that gratitude isn’t just for the grand gestures or life-altering events; it’s also for the quirky, everyday delights that bring a smile to our faces or simply make life a little easier. It seems Sherry has a particular affinity for edible items, while John finds joy in comfort and digital conveniences. These lighter notes add a delightful dimension to our gratitude practice, illustrating that thankfulness can be found in the most unexpected places and for the most unconventional reasons. Embracing these small, often overlooked blessings can significantly enhance our overall sense of well-being and happiness, reminding us to savor every moment.
- For feta cheese. – Sherry
- For Burger’s preference for my lap. Haha. He loves me more. -Sherry
- That Clara seems to enjoy music videos as much as her Daddy does. -John
- For Dexter. Best show ever. -John
- That Einstein Bagels’ Mushroom Asparagus Thin Sandwich is so good. -Sherry
- For Google. -Sherry
- For thick socks on cold floors. -John
- For spellcheck. -John
- For the funny videos that come up when you search “chihuahua” on YouTube. -Sherry
- For Oprah. -Sherry
- For Tina Fey. -John
Finding Joy in the Everyday: From Feta to Fey
These “wild card” entries truly highlight the beautiful breadth of human appreciation. Sherry’s gratitude for feta cheese isn’t just about a dairy product; it’s about the simple pleasure of a delicious meal, the joy of flavor, and perhaps a comforting routine. Similarly, her note about Burger preferring her lap is a playful jab at John but also a genuine expression of the unique bond she shares with our furry family member – a small, affectionate gesture that brightens her day. John’s thanks for thick socks on cold floors speaks to the fundamental human need for comfort and warmth, an understated but profoundly satisfying sensation on a chilly morning. And who among us hasn’t uttered a silent prayer of thanks for spellcheck, saving us from countless embarrassing typos? It’s these tiny conveniences and comforts that, when accumulated, contribute significantly to our daily happiness.
Our appreciation also extends to the realm of entertainment and innovation. John’s gratitude for “Dexter” and “Tina Fey” speaks to the power of compelling storytelling and comedic genius to provide an escape, inspire laughter, and enrich our leisure time. Sherry’s mentions of Google and Oprah reflect a broader appreciation for access to information, empowering content, and inspiring figures who shape culture and offer perspective. And who could forget the delightful rabbit hole of “chihuahua” videos on YouTube? These aren’t just trivial notes; they represent the vast tapestry of experiences and resources that make modern life engaging, informative, and often hilariously entertaining. These diverse expressions of gratitude demonstrate that being thankful doesn’t require grand gestures; it simply requires an open heart and a mindful awareness of the world around us. It’s about recognizing the value in a perfectly crafted sandwich, a helpful search engine, or the simple comfort of cozy attire. This practice of daily gratitude, even for the seemingly mundane, has a profound impact on our overall outlook, fostering a more positive and appreciative perspective on life.
Cultivating a Culture of Gratitude: Your Turn!
Reading through our gratitude jar notes was more than just an exercise in self-reflection; it was a powerful reminder of the importance of pausing, noticing, and vocalizing our appreciation. It encouraged us to look beyond the stresses and challenges of daily life and focus on the abundance of good that surrounds us. We hope our little peek into our thanks jar has inspired you to consider what you’re thankful for in your own life. Do you have any random people, quirky comforts, or unexpected joys that top your gratitude list? Any fellow feta cheese fanatics out there? Or perhaps devoted Tina Fey admirers? While Oprah might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I personally find her incredibly inspiring. And on a practical note, I wholeheartedly echo John’s sentiment about spellcheck – honestly, I can’t imagine crafting a coherent sentence without it! All of our posts would be spelt likee dis, and nobody wants that.
Embracing a gratitude practice, whether through a jar, a journal, or a daily reflection, can profoundly transform your perspective and enrich your life. It encourages a mindful approach, helping you to identify and savor the countless blessings that often go unnoticed in the rush of everyday living. We warmly invite you to share your own unique expressions of thankfulness in the comments below. Let’s create a community of gratitude, inspiring each other with the myriad reasons we have to be thankful.
Discover More Thanksgiving Traditions & Holiday Inspiration
If you’re looking to infuse more thankfulness and warmth into your holiday season, or simply seeking new ways to celebrate, explore some of our other cherished traditions and creative ideas:
- A free Thanksgiving printableto mail messages of gratitude to friends & family
- Creating A Thanksgiving gratitude chalkboard display
- Our daughter’s first year writing Thanks Jar messages
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!