“If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.”

—Frank A. Clark

I just love this quote. It is such a great reminder!

As we’re heading into February, it’s hard not to recall where we were a year ago, on the cusp of a winter storm like we’ve never had before. With the power grid taxed to breaking, so many around us were without water and power. Since we were blessed to still have both, we played host to a number of family members and their cats. That offered its own challenges, but the constant reminders of how many were cold and suffering burst pipes made it a little easier to focus on gratitude for what we had.

To be honest, the start of the year was pretty intense with health issues throughout the extended family. Lots of doctor’s visits and emergency runs. Those can make it challenging to focus on gratitude. Now that the dust has settled and I can take a couple of breaths, I can most definitely take time for finding gratitude in the wake of the excitement.

I’m grateful that everyone is on the mend. I am grateful that some dire possibilities have not panned out. I am grateful for modern medicine and the resource that it is. And I am grateful for some calmer days to let us all catch our breath from the more exciting ones. Most of all I am grateful for the privilege to have been to help to those who were unwell. It is something I am not always grateful for in the moment, though, that’s one of those things I hope to work on.

What has January made grateful for?