Center for Catholic Education at UD

By Mariam Couri

Recently, I was observing a preschool classroom. During group time the teacher asked the students to say one thing that they are thankful for. Before they responded she asked if any of them could tell her what thankful meant. After receiving varied responses from the children she explained that being thankful is “being happy with what you have now, and not wishing you had something more.” I was struck by the simplicity of her definition and further impressed by the students' responses. Many of them said they were thankful for their body or their brain. Such a simple response. Such a profound lesson. To three and four year olds the best thing that they have is themselves and the gift of life. 

If asked the question would you say yourself? How often do you sit and reflect on the gift of life that you have been given?

We asked our ECHO counselors what they are grateful for and they too provided sweet and simple responses reflecting on the simple gifts in life. 

"Good health, great friends, and family. I am also grateful for having a home with enough food, heat and clean water."

"That wearing mismatched socks is cool."

"My husband and child."

"My faith, my husband, and my children."

Often when discussing what we are thankful for it is easy to list the tangible things or items found in our lives and to discredit the simple reality that we are alive and have been given the gift of life.

As we enter the great season of Advent preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ, let us remember and revel in all that we have to be grateful for. These next few weeks are provided for us to willingly and intentionally prepare our souls for the coming of Christ at Christmas. This season of preparation encourages us to reflect on what we already have. 

God, we thank you for the blessing of our lives. We thank you for the opportunity to awaken each morning with the opportunity to live another day. Let us remember the simple and often unnoticed gifts that are ever present in our lives. Through all seasons and struggles in life you remain our one constant. Even when it is difficult for us to recognize it, you provide us with all that we need. May we never forget what a blessing it is to be alive.