Say thanks – often and always

Sherri T.

Many of us used to gather with family and friends on this day to say thanks for what we have.

Today’s celebrations will look different from those of the past.  They will be smaller, quieter and lonelier than before.  Our “gatherings” (in the tiniest of bubbles) will come with the wish that we will soon be able to meet again – not just through technology but in living breathing person.

Throughout this WOOM journey, I have learned some remarkable things about mothers – and other significant women in our lives.  One notable lesson is that some mothers don’t wait for the once-a-year mark to express appreciation of their family and friends.  

An early WOOM blog highlighted the wisdom of Alice, mother of Maureen. Alice advised her children to celebrate everything.  She lived those words. Every holiday came with its own colors, costumes and cuisine.

But for Alice, special days represented something more.  Time to share love.  Time to reflect on what is important in life.  Who and what really matter.

There are others who express gratitude regularly.  Like dear friend Tina who wears a little angel on her collar to remind her every day to give thanks for the fortunate life she leads.

Or the family members of a wonderful niece and nephew who gather for Friday night dinner.  Each person is asked to speak about one thing for which they are grateful that week.

Turns out, there is a growing volume of literature on the value of an attitude of gratitude.  It is consistently associated with greater happiness.  It helps in creating positive emotions, building loving relationships, facing adversity and improving overall health.

While my mother understood the value of gratitude, she did not practise it as a formal philosophy or in a structured way.

She merely taught us to say thank you – often and always.

She instructed us to “do the right thing by people” (we had to learn over time what that meant).

She continually reminded us: “If you don’t have anything nice to say about somebody, don’t say it.” 

Her expressions of gratitude were always simple and straightforward.  For that, I am eternally grateful – and I say thanks.