“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance. Chaos into order. Confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast. A stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie
As I have shared, my grandpa met my grandma during WWII. If not for that chance encounter of him being shipped overseas and meeting a young lady in a small German village northwest of Frankfurt, my entire beautiful family would not be here today. We now have four generations of thankfulness. My grandma was grateful for the chance to meet her strapping strong soldier, who swept her off her feet. They shared in the small-town German traditions of her time for their courtship and then into marriage. They would laugh at the hoops my grandpa was jumping through to win the approval of her “fraulien”. I am thankful for her bravery in taking a boat overseas to a new home where she wasn’t understood and, unbeknownst to her, where she would face discrimination. My Grandparent’s decision to become a family was not celebrated here. I am thankful they stuck it out, and through their innumerable sacrifices as a couple, as individuals, and as a service family, we have been so blessed. As we gather for the holiday, take a moment to look around the room and reflect on the path it took to bring you and your loved ones together. Take pause in the small moments and give thanks for what truly matters.