Last night I sat and talked with Trent about his homework. One of the questions he had was "has anyone ever changed your view on life?" Think about that question for a moment. It is huge. There are people and moments that change us to our core and I love that. I love to constantly strive to be better then who I was yesterday. So I was very excited to hear Trent's answer. He wrote about his adopted cousins who had so little before they came to the US and not until he met them did he ever understand how much he had. I melted a little as I read it. It is so incredibly important to learn from others and I was so thankful that Trent had been able to do just that. In my heart, I know, I have so much, but aren't there days when we feel like we need so much more then we have. I keep lists of what I need for birthdays, Christmas, groceries, home improvement, and just general wants. Constant on going lists. Sure, some of it is absolutely necessary. I'm sure no one wants me to forget the toilet paper (again). But truthfully, my wants always out number my needs. At a young age we started talking with our children about the difference between those two words. I constantly hear them correcting one another when the word want or need is used wrong. It is absolutely essential to raise children with Thankful hearts and a understanding that while we may not have it all we are blessed beyond comprehension. This year we started a new way to be thankful by letting the kids each pick a charity to donate to on their birthday. I thought that this might go over like a lead balloon but they loved the idea. They are excitedly talking, picking, and researching where they should donate and once again learning the importance of giving and being thankful. We have had our share of life experiences that have taught us to place less value in the stuff of life, and more value in the people we share life with. I am so thankful to have children who understand the meaning of thanksgiving, not as a holiday but as a essential part of who they are.
Each night for a couple weeks before Thanksgiving our family writes down what we are thankful for and share them as we talk over dinner. I plan on writing the family responses every night on our blog too...it is so incredibly important to look back and realize just how much we have to say thanks for.
