The Most Thankful Thing is the title of a book I used to read to my daughter before bed. It never fails to move me to tears.
In the book, the daughter was looking at her mom’s old scrapbook. “You’ve done so many things, mama!” The daughter exclaims. “In your whole long, long, long life, what are you the very most thankful for?”
“Was it when you were playing guitar on stage?”
“Was it when you were the editor of the yearbook?”
“Was it your high school prom?”
“Was it your most thankful thing when you acted in that play in college?”
“You look so happy in this picture at your very first real job. Was that it?”
“Here you are at your wedding with Daddy. That must be your most thankful thing.”
The mom answers that even if she was incredibly happy during these times, her most thankful thing was even better.
The daughter then says, “Your most thankful thing must be awesome! It must be amazing! I give up guessing. What is it, Mama?”
Her most thankful thing (spoiler alert!): “Just when I thought I couldn’t be any happier, I held you for the first time. I felt your soft, sweet breath on my skin and your warm, tiny body against mine…Forevermore you would be my most thankful thing.”
(I’m not crying. You are.)
As you search for the perfect gift for everyone on your list, I want you to remember that, for the most important people in your life, the most thankful thing is YOU—the way your smile lights up your eyes, your easy laughter, your sometimes witty (and most times, corny) comebacks, the stories that show how fascinating your mind works, your hug that provides solace, your presence during both big and mundane moments.
I’m wishing you a thankful and beautiful holiday season. May your heart and belly be full. May your generous hands be filled with more gifts than you have given. May you follow the light and be the light during this time.
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This is an excerpt from this month’s Joyful Little Note, my newsletter that will add some inspiration and mindfulness to your month or even just your day. Subscribe by filling up the form below.
Photo by Nicole Honeywell on Unsplash.com.
