Thankful

So every year... well, MOST years... we try and take the chance in the first day or two of November to create what we call a Thankful Chain.

Essentially, we cut strips of fall colored paper into strips and write down on each one a blessing we can think of. When I first handed out the small pile of strips, the kids were saying things like "This is too many!" "I can only think of like, maybe, 10 things."

And then I read them a quote:

"The ability to appreciate 

what's in front of you has nothing to 

do with what you actually have. It's more about how you measure 

the good things in your life at 

any given time."

I asked them to name their blessings "one by one".
Don't just say "friends", list them out.
Don't just say "food", write down orange chicken and pizza (or ice cream and cupcakes... whatever!)
Don't just say "family", add the names of your siblings, cousins, parents, and grandparents.

And so they started writing.

Saying out loud a few of things they were thankful for; washing machines, hot and cold running water, school, teachers, medications, braces, the scripture, the Savior, temples... the list went on.

And on.

And on.

And soon, we had a chain that was so long, it wrapped in loops and piles around the dining room and the kitchen. And they were asking for more paper.

It is such a wonderful visual reminder of how truly full, rich and blessed our lives truly are.