Gratitude Month 2026: Health and Strength

 

Not to say that I am so way strong anymore, but I do want to acknowledge and show gratitude for the strength and ability that has been regained. You just do not know what you have until you no longer do have it. The ability to walk completely freely is still not one hundred percent for me, but it is really close in comparison to how life was just two and three years ago when my knees kept throwing fits randomly—on trips. I am so thankful to be able to open jars and close containers and move my body with more power. It feels great. And with being able to move better, I have to follow up with thankfulness for my Heavenly Father blessing me and my children with being so very well most of the time in our lives. I like to say I have an iron constitution, and I believe it is from all the minerals from the well water I grew up on at our old house, and maybe some of those benefits have passed down to my children. God really watches over us in keeping us from catching colds and whatever other bugs might be "going around the neighborhood" so to speak. My oldest son has a theory that we are so well because of the kitchen sponge harboring a little bad bugs, just enough to keep our immune systems working out, so that is why we all enjoy so much immunity. He could be right. Maybe we both are. But also, I have lived long enough to know that no matter what, it is by the grace of God that we have any good thing, so I will just say how grateful I am. So many times in our lives, we have watched the world around us get so sick and run through whole families but not us. So grateful. 

Gratitude Month 2026: U.S. Veterans

 

I am thankful for all the veterans in the United States of America who love our country and have protected us from enemies, foreign and domestic, over these past 250 years and more if we count the colonial period. My grandfather and uncles on my dad's side were all U.S. Navy sailors, and I have one brother who is a combat veteran who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another brother served as a soldier musician in the Army bands, so that is a fun thing to appreciate too. So many people to thank for being part of the solution to problems and helping our citizens be kept safe. 

My words seem to fall flat as I try to show my appreciation, but I hope what I am trying to say reaches you and helps you understand my gratitude runs deep. 

Gratitude Month 2026: Cell phones

 

With so many people addicted to screens, I am reticent to claim gratitude for something that can be addictive, but the fact remains that having a cell phone has blessed my life in countless ways.  

Some of the things I appreciate the most are being able to text my friends and family like passing notes, calling people any place you are—not just at home or at a pay phone—to take care of business or shoot the breeze or get support in the moment, doing family history and scripture study on apps to lift my spirits any time day or night, taking photographs (like soooooo many photographs) that help me explore my creativity and capture memories, and so much more. I just love what a useful tool my cell phone is. I can connect with so many people and take care of so many things with one tool. 

I am incredibly grateful for all the goodness and helpfulness I experience by having a cell phone, and it feels right to acknowledge how much this technology has blessed my life. 

Gratitude Month 2026: Great Movies

 

I have written about movie appreciation many times before, and you might have seen my top 100 movies of all time list, so a gratitude post about great movies should not be a surprise. What got me thinking about movies is how I went to the theater to see Rocky for its 50th anniversary. Such a cool experience to see a movie I never thought I would get to see on the big screen. And the Rocky movies are so good to me. The first one, the original, is my favorite of them all with such relatable themes and simple yet dynamic storytelling. There are so many movies I love that I really cannot get into it, or I would begin writing another book, and there is no time for that! 

Suffice it to say, I am exceedingly thankful for all of the interesting, dynamic, and captivating movies I have seen over the years. I have learned so much, been comforted and felt seen, and have made sweet memories with friends and family all while enjoying a movie. 

Gratitude Month 2026: My Little Brothers

 

My family dynamic that I was born into is complicated, but to simplify a bad situation that I did not create, I am the oldest of my siblings, the only girl, and I have five younger brothers. This pack of brothers of mine have meant the world to me since I have been able to have a recollection of our time together. Growing up, we had good times and bad times and everything in between like all siblings, but something that has always been dear to me in my memory of them is how we had so much fun together playing outside in our backyard, swinging on the swings, running around chasing each other, giving and going for rides on the riding lawn mower, sword fighting with sticks, climbing on the wood pile, and so much more. 

The first of two of my favorite memories where I was the leader of the pack in our backyard is when we were pouring any and all cleaning agents from under my parents' bathroom sink in and around a giant anthill we had discovered in the way back of our acre property and trying to light it on fire. I was pretty young, but I knew how to read and was scanning the containers for the word flammable. I made sure my little brothers kept a safe distance because, while we did want to destroy the ants, I did not want anyone to get hurt. We did not meet much success at burning out the anthill, but a bit of flame did happen probably after the bleach, I think. And everyone was safe from the chemicals I felt for sure were very dangerous since they had the word flammable on them. I remember feeling so big and responsible for keeping my little brothers safe from getting burned. 

The other favorite memory with my little brothers in the backyard was when I had a friend over and our dad gave me permission to make a tiny fire with twigs on our concrete slab that ended with me cooking bacon and eggs for everyone (including my dad who never questioned why he had a plate of bacon and eggs delivered to him by one of my brothers) over what turned into a large fire and my little brothers running around that fire and being handed pieces of bacon from the pan as they finished cooking like a wild scene with the Lost Boys from Peter Pan. We were having the time of our lives. And then—mom came home. I do not recall her being angry that a bonfire was lit in her backyard by her approximately 8 or 9-year-old daughter who was encouraging her sons to run around a fire like maniacs but because I had used her good frying pan, and she was livid about that. I was so busted. Her good pan was a stainless steel with copper bottom Revereware, so anyone who knows what that is knows full well she had every right to be ticked. Now that I know what that is, I would have gone ballistic on my children! But I digress. 

I share these two top tier moments in time to show how I have loved being the ringleader of my little brothers who are not little anymore. In fact, we are all so grown up now that we hardly have a moment for adventure and have not all been together in the same space for many years. Each of them have special gifts and talents they bring to our family and in the world where they have shared them, and I am thankful to be alive long enough to look back and see how far we all have come and what a difference they have made for so many including myself. Each of my little brothers have taken turns being there for my children as they were growing up, and I am extra thankful for those times when we needed their time and presence. 

Their presence in my life has made me who I am as the oldest of our pack and the only sister. Their love and trust have pushed me to be brave and strong. Their kindness and forgiveness have pushed me to be my better self at every turn. I am thankful for these five now grown men who have blessed me and my children more than I can find words to express it all. 

Gratitude Month 2026: Good Food

 

Just before sitting down to write about something I am thankful for, I finished a bowl of homemade cheeseburger soup that I had prepared for us today. And my thoughts are overwhelmed with gratitude for my full refrigerator and pantry and the crockpot full of delicious, warm soup that we will be working on over the next few days. I have been so fortunate my whole life to never have gone hungry and never to have to watch my children go hungry either. My dad knew destitution and hunger as a child, and he would share stories to teach us to be thankful and to take care not to waste what food we had. I hope I always remember the lessons he taught us about being grateful for something as basic as food because not everyone has their basic needs met. Food is basic but a blessing, and I am so thankful for it. 

Gratitude Month 2026: America 250

 

This semiquincentennial year for the United States of America has been a time of gathering friends and family for celebratory times, experiencing its history and present innovations, and reveling in all the good that is America. I am grateful for my ancestors who sacrificed greatly to leave their homelands for an unsettled wilderness and all who kept coming as they were beckoned by the hope of liberty. I am thankful for my American roots that anchor me to this land. I am thankful for all the freedom that has been fought for and won because people have believed we could have something different, something better. I am grateful to God for watching over us, and I pray for His holy protection as we move into the next two hundred and fifty years. 

Gratitude Month 2026: Deep Conversation

 

Anyone who knows me knows that I could talk the ear off a horse—or whatever that saying is. I talk small talk, big talk, and everything-in-between talk, but my favorite kind of talk is deep talk. Not everyone revels in argumentation, complex concepts, and random trains of thought that bring you to truly contemplate the important and eternal things in life. I will be friends with anyone and everyone, yet I tend to gravitate toward those individuals who appreciate and enjoy deep conversation. It is usually self-professed nerds like myself who love deep conversations, and I am here for it. 

The other day, I was part of one of these treasured talks, and I was asked how I would define love. My first response was that love equals loyalty, and I gave evidence to support my claim. The talking kept going and even weaved into other conversations, then, something someone said provided me more clarity on how I could describe love, and it is affectionate loyalty. This description can apply to any form of human love that we share. I give affectionate loyalty to my children, my brothers, my parents, my extended family, my friends, my coworkers, and my employer even. Each iteration of love looks different, but the definition stands true to how I live life. 

I would like to give affectionate loyalty to a romantic subject again someday, God willing. I must say I am not grateful for the realization that I have never received genuine affectionate loyalty in this form, but I still seek it, so I guess I am thankful I still have hope that I can find someone capable of reciprocating romantic affectionate loyalty for me.

So today, I am thankful for the deep conversations I have had in my life and the recent one that got me thinking about something that brings me hope. And I am thankful that I am someone capable of loving the intellect it takes to hold these types of conversations.  

Gratitude Month 2026: Good Music

 

I was raised around good music. Between my parents' wide range of musical tastes and growing up in the 1980s and early 1990s, I have experienced the best of the best throughout time, so whenever anyone asks me what is my favorite type of music, I literally say one word—good. Not all music is good, but you can find good songs in just about any genre. Some of my favorite genres with many good songs in them include classical, classic rock, new wave, alternative, country, and gospel music. I enjoy songs in other genres as well, but these are what I probably listen to most as they bring happiness, understanding, and light to my days. 

Going to live musical performances is another facet of my gratitude for good music. There is nothing like hearing a live orchestra or a choir singing in front of your very eyes, and I will add how much I love watching a marching band competition played outside on the football field. It is all so good to me! 

I am so grateful for the gift of music that has been ever present in my life. 

Gratitude Month 2026: Friends

 

Throughout my life, I have had friends, and as I continue in life, I realize that this luxury is not the case for everyone. Not everyone knows how to make friends, and it has always come naturally to me. I have childhood friends I have known since I was four and five years old, and I do not take that for granted. Another section of friends I will never take for granted are the people who have known me since we were teenagers. Holding onto even one friendship during such a tumultuous development period seems like a miracle to me, and I have been able to stay connected with many of these amazing people who helped to shape who I am today. I have a best friend whom we have known each other since fourteen years old, and I am always astonished that she has not gotten fed up with my antics by now. Not even kidding! 

I have so many dear friends that it would take a book to write about everyone, but I simply want to pay honor to each of you who have blessed my life so much. You have been so good to me even if was only for a moment or for years. I am thankful for you. And I want to say thank you to anyone who is soon to become my friend—buckle up! 

Gratitude Month 2026: My Children

It has been quite the journey, becoming a mother and watching everyone grow up while I feel like I am still growing up. Watching my children develop and learn has been the work of my life and a true joy to see them becoming such goodhearted, strong, mindful, resilient people. My heart appreciates all the lovely moments, the birthday parties, the playdates, the mom-times, the road trips, the movie nights, all of it. All those same things are past though, and I look forward to the now, every time we can gather, every time even one of them chooses to pause their big life to keep our family ties strong. 

I am grateful for four of the best teachers I could ask for, showing me the way to become my best self, teaching me that God sees me and us and will keep his promises because He has time and time again for us. So thankful to be a mother. 

Gratitude Month 2026: My Parents

Over the last few weeks, my mom and dad have been on my mind so much. I even had a dream with my dad in it that was so vivid that it felt real until I was awake and had to talk myself into reality. He and I were walking around our family home's property assessing the patches of grass that were not growing properly and the patches where it needed to be mowed, and it was all so easygoing just how we used to talk when we would go on walks or shooting the breeze. Just before I woke up, he was telling me essentially that we have a good plan for things, and we agreed that it will all work out if we do what we planned. I cannot help but continue to believe it was a visit like my mom's dream last year (or early on this year), but somehow, I was not freaked out, just so comfortable with talking and walking around our old backyard. 

The only problem is now I have my parents on my mind daily, and there is nothing to do but miss them. Well, there is something. I have been preparing to write my mom's biographical sketch and have put out a call for stories, so there is that. No one has sent me any stories yet, so that has been hard, but I will be participating in National Novel Writing Month by working on her story, so I can have it together as much as possible by the end of November and put the finishing touches on over Christmas break hopefully. 

My gratitude runs deep for these two wonderful and regular and extraordinary and very missed people. They took a chance on love between two very different people, gave me life and my brothers too, and ran the course through the rest of their lives never giving up even when it might have seemed easier to do so. 

Love and miss them and appreciate them beyond any description I can write here. 

Happy First Day of Gratitude Month! 

incandescent you

How can you know who you are? 

In your beauty and your strength.

You are lux et veritas. 

 

Seek forever for the truth. 

Despite losses on your way,

Hold to love and truthfulness.

 

Be light—wish upon the stars—

As God reaches for you at length—

Ever-reaching—at full cost—

 

A cost worth every pain—

God’s divine gift to this world,

Entirely luminous.

 

You are light, and you are truth—

You are lux et veritas. 

 

Dedicated to the Class of 2026

May you never forget who you are—a beloved child of God. 

 

And to students of mine past, present, and future, thank you for trusting me 
to lead, guide, and walk beside you for this stint in your marathon called life.

baby mine

Nothing turns out how we expect—

Sometimes, it turns out better. 

Nothing can be better

Than what and how reality is. 

Stand rooted in the beauty of truth 

Be strong in righteous endeavors

Be you, a queen within all of creation. 

for my daughter, miss d.

my love

Where did you hide, 

Sweet dream of mine? 

Where did you go?

I am so low. 

You need to find me, 

darling, come see— 

The time is waning, 

And I am fainting. 

Catch me before 

All the time is gone.

not today

Writing of flowers and sunshine and kisses 

Is very well for the unforgotten, the ones where 

Promises are still kept. 

But it gets to be ridiculous when all you have known

Is leaving, lying, and cheating.

These words flow from a place of 

Disappointment— 

A place of pure and poignant

Sorrow—

A place of deep and abiding 

Wishing for better

Than she has ever known.

And yet, she writes—

Of happiness and love and joyfulness

Most days—

Just not this day.  

fate

nearly endearing

nearing our critical mass

near the finish, love

top shelf

Her heart is sitting on a shelf most days.

It looks around and makes a few wishes, 

Taking time to contemplate all the ways

Of how good life can be as it swishes

By unconcerned with how long it takes

To see around the corners and become 

Something like the wish she makes 

As the shelf begins to feel like home.

And nothing is quite the same again

And she see this and must pretend

That everything is fine

Even when it is not.

to choose

looking around, trapped

slow-boiled mentality 

His gospel frees us

my Jesus

I love the way you make me feel when the skies are clear

And everything from before now and looking toward heaven is near

Family is all I can think about and dream about and hope for

I look at the past, present, and future, and realize you are an open door

Leading me to forever, leading me to always

Leading me to the best of everything God could give

Because you are the way home, showing the way

As I strive to make it through the strife and live. 

You are the light I need;

You are my friend indeed.

invaluable

I am invaluable—

A real treasure divine. 

I am insatiable

When I lose track of time. 

I am creativity personified—

Holding nothing back, nothing kept inside. 

I am invaluable—

God's child to be glorified—

Sent through the fire meant to refine. 

I am watching, awaiting, anticipating—

To be claimed for all eternity. 

fighting chance

Darkness permeates

Leaning into light, truth, joy,  

Radiating hope

bloom

Bloom. 

Just bloom a little more, 

A little longer, 

But bloom. 

It is not time to wither; 

It is not time to stop growing. 

It is not time just yet 

To let go or say goodbye. 

Bloom, darling, 

And be daring while you're at it. 

Bloom into a new flower 

That knows where the sun shines. 

just for a little while

wishes and kisses 

moving in all directions 

grow down a little 

*dedicated to my children and to my dad for inspiring my thoughts

a full plate

wringing out the dishcloth

with dishes still in the sink

is like the days of being a mother 

teaching you that the work is 

never all done

time putting us all through the wringer 

wishing for more time but less wringing 

hoping for a little stretch of peace

but that's not what life is all about

so the blows just keep coming 

day after day, the dishes keep coming

and going but showing that 

there is always a little more one can do

to make a difference 

to feed a soul 

joy (a blackout poem)

Seek and find joy,

The great blessing relating to

Something like sun-split clouds

Lifted over the changed world 

Flying together—

Take and see—

Caught up in the exhilaration, 

Rejoiced delight. 

This heart! 

I speak about something—

Laughter—

Wings. 

memories

My collection is growing with time 

And space and friends and opportunity. 

My collection has colors innumerable— 

Indescribable and incredible. 

My heart is filling up so full that

All it takes some days is one more 

Drop of joy, and my cup overfloweth

In the form of tears or laughter—

Or both. 

Some days, I trick myself into thinking 

I have not been given enough chances, and 

Then, I remember and I start counting, and 

There just is no room in one person to hold 

All the good and wonderful and happy 

That has been given to me. 

My friends, my family 

And all this love that I hold and see

Everywhere I look, surrounding me. 

halfway

Isn't there a little something special about knowing 

You are halfway there? 

Halfway where, you ask?  

Halfway to finishing

Halfway to accomplishing something

Halfway to doing something different

Halfway to the goal 

Halfway to knowing something—anything 

Who knows what the something is

Other than the satisfaction of being all done? 

Or is there something more? 

Do you ever feel a little wistful? 

Sometimes a little wishful 

That maybe time could slow down just a tad

To grasp the second half after halfway a little longer

To savor it and save the feeling for on a rainy day?

And smile

Because you remember how it felt to be halfway 

And there is just something special about 

Being there in the middle of doing 

Creating, writing, teaching, 

Thinking, hoping, dreaming, singing 

Being in the middle of making something 

Out of what used to be nothing 

Waiting for you, and all that you bring, to show up. 

to the bone

raggedy and worn

tired and wishing, war-torn 

pushing on toward light

i am

I am tenacious and giving.  

I wonder if my mother likes how I'm living.

I hear the bells of Christmas Day ringing. 

I see the light when I feel the Holy Spirit's tingling.

I want to touch true freedom.

I am tenacious and giving. 

I pretend I am honestly fun. 

I believe Scotland's unicorns once were living. 

I touch ever so softly the velvety warmth of purple. 

I worry I let red prevail in this life devoted to purple. 

I cry when the blue hues are winning. 

I am tenacious and giving. 

I understand that I am a daughter of God—a queen. 

I say I am sweet and loving but also a little bit mean. 

I dream of good things to come, truly believing. 

I try to be exceptional. 

I hope my life will be be inspirational. 

I am tenacious and giving. 

 

fight on, write on

Every time I try to really write,

A silence washes over me in an effort 

To show me that maybe I need to step back

And listen for awhile, but then

I remember how many days, months, and 

Years went by in guarded silence

Keeping me from freedom and safety and

Saying what needed to be said, so 

I keep writing and speaking and sharing

With a world that seems to not want to 

Hear what I have to say, but 

I will say it anyway, and stop letting 

Silence wash over me without a fight. 

I shall write on. I shall fight the good fight.

precious, whole, seen treasure

PRECIOUS 

We belong to Him, every one, 

Spiritually, divinely—all

Changing, growing, effervescing 

Following Him today—now. 

WHOLE

Working on believing that

Someone like me

Is allowed to be made clean

Permitted and persuaded

Through the redeeming blood

Of the Lamb

To be healed, to be fully loved 

Connected and invited

To not only survive but

To live eternally

Powerfully—

Whole. 

SEEN

Salvation gained through grace and holy love

Given by the ultimate Friend from above, 

One who sees, seeks, and finds the one—

Our joy-maker, our Savior, God's beloved son.

He reaches me; He teaches me. 

He waits for me and for you; 

We are always—forever—in His view. 

TREASURE

Golden moments of faith and devotion

Following the Light, the Truth, the Way

Into the world with strength only He can offer

As we begin to see just what price He paid

As our hearts begin to scratch the surface

On what our Savior sacrificed for us

Because He loves us

And we love him. 

not (very) funny

dichotomous, real

mirth unbound by deep sorrow

parched desert humor

do what it takes

Knock, knock, knocking outside the open door

A gateway, an invitation to think outside myself 

To take the time to ponder what really matters 

When the day is done and everyone goes home to be alone

Time for becoming what you already know you need to be

A call to action to feel about, find, and put your feet

On the footpath of the future before the future finds you 

Unprepared and scared, like a little girl 

Who just wants to be happy but seeks no recourse to 

Change the narrative

Speak up, stand up

Do what it takes to 

Be unafraid;

Do what it takes to 

Be truly free, and 

Seek God's face. 

wasted

wishing on those stars

bathed in warm purple moonlight 

now—complete strangers

take responsibility

Where does your mind go when you are all alone? 

Does it meander to and from the best of things? Or—

Do you let yourself believe you are safe from poison that stings? 

What stays on your mind even when you are occupied with other things? 

Are you letting intrusive, self-abusive habits rule your days and nights? Or—

Are you taking care that what is running in the background is filling your cup? 

Who is taking space in your heart causing you to keep going or want to give up? 

Do they bring you joy and rejoicing or anger and resentment? Or—

Are you remembering that you alone are responsible for your actions and feelings? 

intrusion

worrisome actions

draining, habitual (bad)

life lessons abound

learning light

Taking a little time to slow the march and 

Cool the tempo and calm the mind

Reaching into center to find what is here

To learn how to soften the edge of fight and fear

Standing on the lively shore of life to 

Watch the ripples of change go out to 

Watch the tides of change come in

To learn how to silence this ever present din

Learning, leaning on love, for and from others

Loving self and forgiving the past and present

To see how we all can reach a point together 

In the future—with light and truth resplendent

heart bare

The world will never be the same

From when He lived and died and came

Back, to save us from ourselves

The sparrow knows His love and care

The lily in the field stands aware

So I will also know and stand, heart bare

To let the Savior of the world come near

He lives and loves us without end

From before the world began 

Into the eternal realm, unceasing

saving us

silence draws out hope

resurrection still unseen 

face faith's tomorrow 

i forgot

I walked until my heart was weary

With all the cares and hopes we had

Because it took so long I fainted 

With sorrow on the road with no sight

Of rest or relief I lay myself down 

For just one moment longer than I should

And I forgot for a moment, a mere pause really, 

Of why I fought so hard 

Of why I stood on my raw and thrashed feet 

For so very long

I forgot what it feels like to be loved

Because the love I need has never 

Shown its face to me

change

Change is everywhere and nowhere to be seen. 

It creeps up on you in your daily routine. 

It takes away your dreams while giving them new life.

It robs you of what you wanted by giving you what you need. 

Change is a part of every day that creates strife

While taking you on adventures and heartaches, 

Breaking you down to your heart of hearts,

Showing you your bare soul and teaching you to like it. 

Change looks like an enemy but becomes your best friend

When you aren't looking because change is what makes you you,

And there is no running from your best version you might find in the end—

If/when you try.  

define my life

Define my life

Every action—every breath

In all my repentance 

In all my good. 

Define my life 

In every friend

In every joy restored

In all the happy times 

In all the light regained. 

Define my life with love and hope. 

Define my life with eternity—with charity.